The next Biniam Girmay - 6 Eritrean riders on the rise

Casting an eye over the wealth of Eritrean talent emerging

Eritrea has been a nation obsessed with cycling for almost a century. The story began when the occupying Italians introduced bike racing to the country in the 1930s, and continues today with the success of their greatest ever rider, Biniam Girmay.

It’s not true, then, to say that Girmay has inspired a nation with his success at the Tour de France and before that Gent-Wevelgem and the Giro d’Italia. What he has done, is to light a flame of belief for a generation of young Eritreans who now believe that they too could reach the very peak of professional cycling.

So who are the next big Eritrean talents coming through? Who could be the next Biniam Girmay? Here are six riders hoping to emulate the great man.

Girmay won three stages and the points jersey at the 2024 Tour de France. Image: A.S.O./Thomas Maheux

Mewael Girmay

Biniam’s younger brother Mewael is now in his second season with Intermarché-Wanty’s development team Wanty-ReUz-Technord.

His first season was a period of bedding-in to life and racing in Europe. As for so many riders, it was a big transition for the rider who turns 20 this April. Girmay’s results were modest, the best being 23rd at Eschborn-Frankfurt U23 in May. A direct comparison with his brother is perhaps unfair, but it’s remarkable to go through the elder Girmay’s first year in Europe, where he won several top-level UCI junior races straight away and finished second overall at the prestigious GP Rüebliland Juniors in Switzerland.

Read more: Analysing Biniam Girmay's 2025 season prospects

Mewael is a rider of a similar build to his brother, and is going through the Belgian school of hard knocks with all the inclement weather and nasty bergs that come with it. This second season in Europe will be a key one to see if he has what it takes to become a professional.