“They’re the next Columbians.” Those prophetic words, uttered earlier this year by none other than five time Tour de France winner Bernaud Hinault, were in reference to a promising performance by the Eritrean national team at January’s Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon.
The statement came after stage four of the seven day event when the six man squad from Eritrea not only led the African teams’ classification but also had five of its riders in the top twenty overall.
The young team (all were born in the 1990s) faded towards the end of the race but Hinault’s words were out there providing food for thought to all who follow cycling.
The lack of black faces in the professional peloton caused much debate on The Roar earlier in the year with Lee Rodgers and myself penning articles exploring the reasons why this might be the case.
Many readers had their say, coming up with theories ranging from racism to genetics and everything in between, but popular opinion seemed to be the lack of opportunity and role models.
It seems the wheel is turning.
Earlier this week Natnael Berhane, an Eritrean neo-pro riding for team Europcar, claimed stage three of the Presidential Tour of Turkey, becoming the first black African to win a HC level race.
Riding strongly to join a breakaway of four other riders with just three kilometres to go, Berhane attacked in the last few hundred metres to beat Kevin Seeldraeyers (Astana) and Mustafa Sayar (Tarku Sekerspor) by six seconds.
This victory, won on the Queen stage of the Tour and with a mountain top finish, was Berhane’s first win outside of Africa. It was enough to propel him to the top of the general classification, a position he stands a good chance of holding.
Within Africa his record speaks for itself. He is an overall winner of the Tours of Eritrea and Algeria, has come second at the Tour of Rwanda, has won stages in each of those races and also the Tropicale Amissa Bongo and has twice won the African road championship.
He is an accomplished cyclist and at just 22 years of age has the world before him. He dreams of one day riding the Tour de France and idolises team mates Thomas Voeckler and Pierre Rolland who he sees as perfect riders to model himself on.
He follows in the footsteps of compatriot Daniel Teklehaimanot who made his WorldTour debut last year with Orica-GreenEdge. Teklehaimanot also made his Grand Tour debut last year, securing a ride in the Vuelta a Espana. Berhane hopes that his day will come just as quickly.
Both riders were members of the World Cycling Centre, an initiative set up by the UCI to develop and nurture young riders, especially those from poorer nations with limited cycling infrastructure. It assists its students with training programs, tactical knowledge, nutrition, language lessons and medical testing and provides a means for riders to gain valuable experience.
Most importantly it provides opportunity, that all important element for riders from disadvantaged backgrounds.
But don’t think that the story ends with Teklehaimanot and Berhane. They may be the first, but they won’t be the last.
Already a third Eritrean is attracting attention. 18 year old Merhawi Kudus was a stage winner of the UCI rated Tour of Rwanda last November in what was only his first UCI registered event. He claimed his win in a similar fashion to Berhane, by attacking on the final climb, and hopes to following in the footsteps of his two WorldTour countrymen.
Along with Teklehaimanot and Berhane, there are three other professional cyclists hailing from Eritrea. Meron Russom, Jani Tewelse and Ferekalsi Debesay all ride for second tier team MTN-Qhubeka – a South African squad that is making its own inroads into the Eurocentric world of cycling.
And let’s not forget that Ethiopian rider Tsgabu Grmay, who also rides for MTN-Qhubeka, won a stage of Tour de Taiwan earlier in the year as well.
With an increasing number of role models to follow and opportunities opening up, this trickle of African talent into the cycling gene pool could soon become a torrent.
It will take time, but Daniel Teklehaimanot and Natnael Berhane may become the African versions of Phil Anderson. While Phil paved the way to Europe for a generation of Australian talent, so to could Teklehaimanot and Berhane become the African pioneers.
Couple this with the growing recognition of races such as the Tours of Rwanda, Eritrea and Burkina Faso and an African emergence might not be the pipe dream that it first appears to be.
Perhaps they really will be the ‘next Colombians.’
bisirat
Guest
Good day dear readers! SILENCE CAN'T BRING SOLUTIONS!!! Lamarefugee as you said everything is true! Because of this things and others a lot of talented Eritrean athletes are disappeared with in the past few years! 3 full football national teams and a lot of runners and cyclists disappeared. The main problem is they don't want to give opportunity to all athletes even the few professional riders are part of this problems they know it well but they can't talk about it because if they talk about it to the world they know what is going to happen to them. There's a lot of talent in Eritrea but it can't shine well in the world because of the unfair administration of the sport commission and Eritrean national cycling federation. Those people who are leading sport in Eritrea are guilty in this case because they are killing dreams of all the athletes. DANIEL, NATNAEL, MERHAWI KUDUS AND THE OTHERS Passed a lot of problems and the rest riders those they can't accept the administration disappeared because they don't want to deal with the unfair leaders! In the past few days one of the talented riders got invitation from a professional European team Omega Pharma Quick Step but the Eritrean national cycling federation didn't allowed him to join them. So what can we say about this even last time they didn't allowed Merhawi Kudus to join team MTN Qhubeka but later they deal with money! Please journalists explode this news to the world that the Eritrean athletes are suffering because of this things and lot others. Thanks Warm regards!
Iamarefugee
Guest
Like many people I have been inquiring the whereabout of Daniel Teklehaimanot and why he was no show for the first half of the cycling season. His team could only say he is no show for reasons beyond his control... and Daniel said not a word about his situation. This is very common when one falls under the control of Eritrean official. They denied him exit visa, sadly, I can only imagine because they wanted to be paid to let him out the country. Here is good luck to D T/Haimanot in whatever is left of the season. I hope he does not go back to Eritrea again. (google translation) "The first Teklehaimanot Blocked by the authorities of his country who refused him a visa, the Eritrean rider of the Orica-GreenEdge team plays with the Criterium du Dauphine his first race of the season. This morning, he found pleasure fellow Natnael Berhane bringing him the colors of the Europcar team." http://www.ledauphine.com/sport/2013/06/02/danes-les-coulisses
Teddy
Guest
You're right Mera. Let's not also forget the pioneers like Giovani Masola and Tekeste (Gigante) ; and the 80's and 90's heroes, Yemane Tekeste, Desalegn Negash, yonas Zekarias and many 0thers who have laid the foundation for todays success.
tttawwwh
Guest
Mr Iamarefugee are you sure you was in Eritrea? I don`t think so, you was may be in Iraq or Afganistan...
Sean Lee
Expert
Definitely exciting times for cycling in your country.. Keep the flow of Eritrean cyclists coming, we enjoy watching them.
Mera
Guest
Firstly I am an Eritrean ... And as an Eritrean I must be a crazy fan of cycling, thought I love football ( soccer) .. Simply Cycling comes first in Eritrea.. It's our heritage that has been so since my grand-dad was a foetus .., and even longer.. ( thanks to the Italians with disgust). Daniel and Natneal are not new to me I know them very well. But we had heroes before them who never had the chance to show the world. But am glad the flow of Eritrean cycling is now out and guarantee will never stop With time and peace I promise you it would't be that long to witness an Eritrean participated in ture de France..... By 2020 Africans will imitate Eritrea in cycling, because by then hope fully Eritrea will have some one on the podium
Iamarefugee
Guest
Sham: Here is an LA Times article from May 2, 2013 on the fate of young Eritreans conscripted and made helpless by the very government you support, then trafficked and enslaved because they have no country and government that cares for them. That is your Eritrea whether you like it or not! http://www.latimes.com/news/columnone/la-fg-sinai-stolen-lives-20130502-dto,0,7183790.htmlstory
matiwo zeray
Guest
I remember one man *David Asbrige* from England wrote about Eritrean cycling.He said"after some years Eritreans will be just like Colombia it was 2003. after 10 years his prophecy come TRUE. Am sure also there are so many strong Yong athletes good luck 2 also those who didn't get opportunity.
Iamarefugee
Guest
Sham: Facts are facts. I can as you say parrot more facts like the number of Eritrean refugees and refugee centers in Ethiopian, Sudan, Israel , Italy. FYI, I was in Eritrea last in 2004. This may however be the wrong forum for that, I think our Australian hosts may want to keep this strictly cycling. . It's enough to remind people however Eritrea is overwhelmingly defined by the refugees it produces.
cgb
Guest
Colombia is populated by Colombians Columbia University alumni are called Columbians
Lee Rodgers
Expert
Yes me too, I wish them all the best, and looks like they can ride a bit too ;-)
liquor box
Guest
Lets hope that Berhane can do something special and claim an overall victory. This could be a major point in cycling if he was to win. I really hope if he comes second to Mustafa Sayer that in a couple of years time we dont find out he lost to a less than honest competitor. The Commentators on Eurosport seem to think that Sayer is a bit better than he should be and even Saxo Tinkoffs twitter feed seem to indicate that all was not well. Sayer seems to have done a similar performance as his team mate last year who got banned after the Tour of Turkey. How could he climb away from a peloton on the big ring while the rest struggled on the small ring? Fingers crossed for Berhane to win
Sham
Guest
Dear Imamrefugee Have you ever been in Eritrea?I don't think so, You are repeating like parrot of some wrong articles about Eritrea.The truth is Eritrea is never been dangerous to any body and it is safe country.You are talking far from truth and don't forget that the check points you mentioned are for safety of the people "The entire population is militarized " imagine 6 million in military who is going to trust you .Please stay positive ,Eritrea is one new nation which is struggling and working at her best against poverty.God be with the mass of Eritrea
Iamarefugee
Guest
relatively there is a decent media coverage. Domestic tours are televised, and cyclists get pretty good exposure... constant interviews on national TV. The fans are enthuastic and come out not just for the annual tours but also for the weekly rounds on the streets of Asmara--there isn't much to enjoy for the locals outside their national sports and its a delightful experience to follow cycling in and from Asmara. And there is international coverage via Sattelite religously followed specially TdF.
Iamarefugee
Guest
Sean: Don't think about visiting Eritrea any time soon. Eritrea is one of the most repressive system on par with North Korea. There are check points all over the county. A foreigner like you on a bike, forget it... Mostly likely would be mistaken for a spy. The entire population is militarized. The young see no life outside the military unless they happen to be sports men and women. Sport is part of the propaganda machine. All the other young and ambitious from Eritrea are refugees and on route to being refugees. Many of them get held as hostages for ransomed money in the Sudan and Egypt, some of the hostages are killed and their organs removed for sale. Don't take my words, if you do the minimum Internet search the information is plenty. Daniel T and Berhane if cycling had not saved their life would be such victims. Eritrea is such a land....
Natal
Guest
Yes there is coverage as a news and report, though a lot need to be done such as live commentator’s report on TV, twitter, Facebook updates etc. Hopefully, there will be steady progress in this regard.
Raphael
Guest
Yes cycling does get huge level of media coverage in Eritrea as it is the most popular sport. As an Eritrean my self I can't think of any country in Africa where cycling is bigger than football (soccer) except in Eritrea. The country is very poor but it is rich in its cycling heritage which was passed through Italian who colonized it.
Sean Lee
Expert
Thanks for your insight into Eritrean cycling Natal. Definitely exciting times for the sport in your country. Just a question for you - Does cycling get good media coverage in Eritrea?
Natal
Guest
I am an Eritrean with avid cycling fun. Cycling in Eritrea is part of the culture of the people. Though it needs to be developed thoroughly throughout the country, there is a formidable base for potential growth. It needs proper management be it in coaching, training, food, health (accessing the athlete, treating injuries..) etc. The strengthening of the cycling federation is also paramount importance for the continuity of the cycling success. The landscape of Eritrea is a perfect environment for the sport. The cyclists and their parents are mostly involved in funding the needs of the sportsmen/women until they get a club to cover part of their expenses. Hence, with proper sponsorship and all those requirements for the sport at all levels would make the Eritrean cycling make wonders in the world in the future.
Sean Lee
Expert
Yeah, we don't want them to go down that path. The comparison though is about the level of participation more than anything else. It only takes a couple to pave the way and more will follow. Personally I think it is quite exciting!