Africa and the Monuments
A look back on Africa's record in the biggest one-day races after Kim Le Court-Pienaar became the first African rider to win one
Kim Le Court-Pienaar has made history as the first rider from Africa to win one of the Monuments - cycling’s most historic one day races. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday was another breakthrough moment for African cycling.
Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia are the most revered races on the men’s calendar. In the women’s peloton, many also recognise the Trofeo Alfredo Binda as a Monument, with its history stretching earlier than the women’s Monuments that run alongside the men’s.
Each of these races - apart from Binda - go back more than 100 years. Naturally due to the sport’s European history, the winners lists are dominated by riders from Belgium, Italy, France and Spain.
Le Court-Pienaar is not only the first African to win one, she is also the first African woman or man to even make it onto the podium in the history of the Monuments. Her win signifies a significant moment in the globalisation of the sport. These are the races that riders from non-traditional nations have historically struggled with most to win. But times are changing.
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