People who inspire us: Eritrean Road Racers

Now is a good time to think about the people who’ve inspired us. It’s a good time to show that cycling can be welcoming of non-whites. It’s a good time to listen to other voices. They have good stories to tell!

Eritrea has a vibrant cycling scene, ever since Ghebremariam Ghebru won the country’s first road race against the Italian colonials in 1937. In the following years, cycling became almost a substitute for religion. To the present day, races are organized in Asmara almost every weekend. Perhaps the most famous Ertriean racer is Daniel Teklehaimanot (right) who wore the polka-dot jersey of the best climber in the Tour de France in 2015.

The photo shows BQ adventurers Toni, Luigi and Thilo with Eritrean pro racers Metkel Eyob and Daniel Teklehaimanot. Gregor Mahringer told the story of their bikepacking adventure in Bicycle Quarterly 68.