KUDOS TO MERHAWI
Astana’s Eritrean Merhawi Kudus was the youngest rider in the 2015 Tour. He tells Procycling about his life and goals
When I did the 2015 Tour de France with MTN-Qhubeka it was really exciting. I was only a second-year professional, and to do it with an African team was not easy. We were the first one to participate as an African team, which was huge. Daniel Teklehaimanot and I were the first black African riders in the Tour, which was really amazing.
It is something special for my career, to have that history. It was not easy, but it makes me more proud. Unfortunately I haven’t had that experience again, but it was good to finish the race. It was something special for me.
I was the youngest at the whole race, but it was kind of amazing. We were the first African team, so we didn’t have that much experience; it was new for most of us. Every morning, the atmosphere in the team supporting each other was incredible, really incredible. There was no pressure, just working as a team, it was a good atmosphere.
In Eritrea, cycling is one of the biggest sports there is. Every Sunday there are local races in Asmara, where I was born and grew up. At school, I did some cycling as an activity too, as well as going to school by bike. And after school I cycled with my friends.
There are very few Eritrean professional riders. It’s a small country, and cycling is very popular, so everyone knows us. I’d say I’m famous there.
It has been three or four months since the lockdown now. I’m really looking forward to going back to the races, I miss that - the environment of professional racing.
We have really good talent in Eritrea, there are a lot of good kids, but the opportunity to come to Europe is the biggest challenge for us. Everything is about trying to get that opportunity or chance to come to Europe from junior or under-23 level. When I came out of Eritrea,
I went to the World Cycling Centre in 2012, and I had the opportunity to go to a training course in Switzerland, so after that I got the opportunity to be part of MTN.
My big goal is still to achieve stage victories in grand tours, especially at the Tour de France.