Daniel Teklehaimanot makes history at the Tour de France
Daniel Teklehaimanot is the first African to wear the iconic Tour de France polka-dot jersey of King of the Mountains
Daniel Teklehaimanot rode into the history books in the Tour de France when he became the first African to wear the climbers' polka-dot jersey.
The 26-year-old Eritrean, riding for South African team MTN-Qhubeka, took charge of the mountains classification yesterday with an escape during stage six. Today, wearing the famous white top with red dots, he escaped again to re-enforce his lead.
"I was really proud yesterday on the podium," Teklehaimanot said after stepping out of the bus today among cheers and applause.
"[At home] they're really very proud of us and they are really supporting. Yeah, of course, they are following us from the beginning to the finish. With this jersey, it is a dream that has come true."
South African Daryl Impey became the first from the continent to wear the yellow jersey in 2013. Robert Hunter, also from South Africa, won the first stage in 2007.
Besides making Tour history with Merhawi Kudus, becoming the first Eritreans to race in the Tour when it kicked off in Utrecht, Teklehaimanot is the first to wear the polka-dot top.
In the Critérium du Dauphiné last month, he won the mountains competition and gave MTN its first classification jersey in a WorldTour race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
For riders from Eritrea, who have to obtain an exit visa to travel to Europe for racing, the polka dots have special significance.
"It's a big challenge to get them out of Eritrea, but the president gave Daniel, Natnael [Berhane] and [Merhawi [Kudus] his blessing," MTN's general manager, Doug Ryder explained.
"He said that we believe that you guys will return, that they are fantastic citizens.”
For a country wrecked by wars and colonisation through the years, Teklehaimanot and Kudus's history-making ride is important. One hundred or so Eritrean fans surrounded the bus daily in the early days shouting, singing and expressing happiness for their compatriots who have come so far from a country with so little.
"I was called by the sports minister of Eritrea," Ryder added. "He said that what they are doing is incredible and is having positive feedback at home."
Teklehaimanot began as a professional with Australian team Orica-GreenEdge. When he rode by the team’s bus this morning, General Manager Shayne Bannan and Sports Director Matt White applauded their former rider. Teklehaimanot, of course, stopped, smiled and shook their hands.
Kudus is seen as the bigger talent. Ryder explained that if he can improve on the descents and in the time trials, he may one day stand on a Grand Tour podium.
The only sour note in MTN's celebrations was news that a rival rider made a racist slur to its rider Natnael Berhane in the Tour of Austria. Belarusian rider Branislau Samoilau with team CCC Sprandi Pokowice, reportedly paid one month's salary to the Qhubeka charity that helps give African bikes in exchange for good deeds.
After the slur and fine, Berhane began today's stage. The bigger news, however, was in France.
Video: Tour de France - Stage seven highlights
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS review: a gravel bike of two halves?
The integrated cockpit and aero tubing are somewhat at odds with the Grail's taller stack height
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling announce new headline sponsors
NTT Pro Cycling has announced its new headline sponsors, bringing an end to the uncertainty around their future.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bjarne Riis leaves NTT Pro Cycling after just one year as manager
Bjarne Riis is leaving NTT Pro Cycling after just one season as team manager.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling boss Bjarne Riis says ‘time is running out, it’s not looking good'
The fate of NTT Pro Cycling still looks bleak, as the team’s boss says there is still no new sponsor lined up.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling left searching for new sponsor as NTT pulls out
NTT Pro Cycling is facing an uncertain future as headline sponsor NTT has pulled out of the team.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bjarne Riis 'confident' NTT will continue into 2021 season
The Dane is aiming for stage wins at the Tour de France to try and attract new sponsors
By Jonny Long Published
-
Giacomo Nizzolo wins European Championships road race in dramatic sprint finish
Nizzolo beat Arnaud Démare and Pascal Ackermann to become the 2020 European champion
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Victor Campenaerts is sleeping at 4,700m in altitude tent ‘to feel like a rider who took EPO’
Time trial star Victor Campenaerts has revealed he is sleeping at 4,700 metres in an altitude tent, so he can “feel like a rider who took EPO.”
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bjarne Riis returns to men's WorldTour as NTT Pro Cycling boss
Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis will take over as team manager at NTT Pro Cycling, as they join forces with women’s team Virtu Cycling.
By Alex Ballinger Published