When Biniam Girmay finished the final stage of the Tour de France, effectively winning the green jersey in the points competition, two of his teammates, Lorenz Rex and lead-out man Mike Tunissen, waited at the finish line to congratulate him.

But the victory was not a fluke.

But the impact of his green jersey victory went far beyond the finish of this year's Tour.

Gil May's victory in the points jersey made him the first black African-American to win his class in the Tour de France. His victories on stages 3, 8, and 12 also made him the first black African-American to win a stage.

The Eritrean sprinter's lead in the points chase looked at one point to be overtaken by fellow sprinter Yasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck) after his crash in Nimes on Tuesday and Philipsen's third win.

However, Philipsen's late challenge never really gained traction, and instead Gilmey finished the Tour with a 33-point lead over Philipsen and a historic double breakthrough for black African cycling in safe hands.

“Wearing the green jersey is an honor and a symbol for sprinters. This is a new dream come true.” Gil May told reporters after the race.

“To be honest, I didn't go into this race with this ambition. I'm just grateful to be here today. This is the greatest day of my life.”

Visibly emotional as he waved to the many Eritrean fans in the last kilometer of the course, Gilmey described his victory as “a new chapter for us,” although at times he was unable to continue the interview while holding back tears.

“For a long time we have been part of cycling, but to win three stages and the green jersey is something special. For Africa and for Eritrea.”

“I am really grateful to have this jersey and I want to say thank you to my country.

In an interview with L'Equipe early in the race, Gilmey revealed that he was not named the team's top sprinter for the race, but was to be the lead-out man for his teammate and fellow fast runner Gerben Theisen.

But on the Tour's first flat stage to Turin, he and Thyssen were separated and the team told him to go for the sprint. As he told L'Equipe magazine, the Tour was also his path to cycling.

“I started cycling because I saw the Tour on TV. Sprints, champions ...... And my dream evolved over time.

“When I was a kid, I thought it was impossible to become a professional. It's just a dream. But when it comes to it, they say it's impossible to win a stage in the Tour. It becomes a dream. It's really great to see a dream come true.”

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