How the dots drove historypublished at 16:26 British Summer Time
Jeremy Ford
Cycling journalist in Caen
On 9 July 2015, stage Six of the Tour de France took place. A fairly flat 191.5km stage from Abbeville to Le Havre.
Daniel Teklehaimanot of Team MTN-Qhubeka, a tall and slight 26-year-old from the small town of Debarwa in central Eritrea crosses the line in 145th position.
However, at the moment Daniel crossed the line – 5:13pm that evening – a major moment in history took place. Daniel, with three KOM points, became the wearer of the ‘polka dot’ KOM jersey. At that moment, he became the first Black man to ever wear a jersey in the 112-year history of the Tour de France.
Daniel said at the time in interviews: “It is a big step for African cycling, and I feel really proud at the moment because I have this jersey,” he said. “I am proud to be African, and I am proud to be Eritrean. This is a day I will never forget.”
And at that moment, nearly 8,000km away, a spark was lit.
Back in Asmara, many people there watch the Tour de France in cinemas in exceptionally large groups so the emotions of seeing the first Eritrean win a Tour de France jersey ran wild, there were parties and festivities for days.
Among those in the seats of a cinema in downtown Asmara was a just-turned 15-year-old Biniam Girmay.
“I remember it very well. I was in a cinema that day with my father. Every Eritrean felt so happy that day. It was just super nice to see to see an Eritrean rider shining in the Tour de France. Daniel was a complete legend to us all, and it was amazing to see him represent us back then.”
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Daniel Teklehaimanot 10 years ago
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
Biniam Girmay this year taking the white jersey on stage 1 after winning green in 2024