History-making Girmay injured in freak accident
SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA, Italy: Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay pulled out of the Giro d’Italia with a le eye injury he suffered a er being hit by a prosecco cork while celebrating an historic stage victory, his team Intermarche said on Wednesday.
Girmay became the first black African to win on any of cycling’s three grand tours a er claiming the honours on Tuesday’s 10th stage of this year’s race, between Pescara and Jesi. Intermarche’s team doctor Piet Daneels said tests showed “haemorrhage in the anterior chamber of the le eye”.
“In consultation with the medical and sport staff, the decision has been made that Biniam Girmay will not take part any longer in this Giro d’Italia, which he is leaving with a stage victory, a second place and three other top five finishes,” Intermarche said in a statement.
“The injury is moving in the right direction but in order not to aggravate it it has been strongly advised to avoid intense activities.”
The cyclist had placed the bo le on the floor and bent over it as he undid the binding before the cork flew off hi ing him from close range.
Girmay was treated at a hospital in Jesi before then heading to a party held by his team in the seaside resort of Riccione on Tuesday evening.
He is due to have further tests on the eye and le the team hotel on Wednesday morning with his manager a er bidding farewell to his teammates Girmay has carved out a name for himself in the world of cycling, establishing himself as one of the sport’s best sprinters.
He had already made history this season when he became the first African winner of a classic, the GhentWevelgem at the end of March.
He shot to a ention at the world championships when he became the first black African man to feature on the podium when he came second in the under-23’s at the 2021 event in Belgium.
He has already racked up eight wins since turning professional in 2020. — AFP