EriXPress Interview with the 2nd Generation of Legendary Eritrean Cyclists of 1960s and early 1970s

#Eritrea #UCI #ኤርትራ #ቅድድም #ብሽለክታ #Salimbeni #Fessehazion #Gigante #Beyene #Tesfalidet #Mehari
#Eritrean #Cycling has a long history. It goes back to the mid 1930, however, because of the racist laws of the Italian Fascism, Eritreans were not allowed to compete with the Europeans, even during the British Military occupation Eritreans were not allowed to compete with Italians until November of 1951, when an Eritrean cyclist, Woldemichael Asghedom (aka Berbere) won the race. From this starting point Eritrean cycling has now grown to a point where Eritreans are becoming first black Africans in many venues. Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi Kudus were the first black Africans to participate in the 2015 edition of Tour de France where Daniel became the first rider from an African team to wear the polk dot jersey (King of Mountain) in stages 6 through 9. Eritrea made another history on September 24, 2021 by winning a silver medal at #UCI men's #U23 world championship. Twenty One year old Biniam Girmay made the history.

From 2010 - 2019 #Eritrea won the African Team Time Trial championship of Africa. The 2010 (Daniel Tekle Haimanot), 2011 & 2012 (Natnael Berhane), 2013 & 2016 (Tesfom Okbamariam), 2018 (Amanuel Ghebrezghiabhier) and 2019 (Mekseb Debessai) were Africa's road race champion. Eritrean women cyclists are also scoring major victories: Bisirat Ghebremeskel and Mossana Debessai were Africa's road race champions of 2018 and 2019 respectively.

In subsequent parts we will feature interviews with Salimbeni Carmelo, Fessehazion Gebreyesus, Mehari Ogbamichael, Fessehazion Zerazion, Tekeste Woldu (Gigante), Tesfalidet Haylom and Beyene Simon. These who were dominant cyclists of the 1960s and early 1970s.