When Natnael Tesfatsion of Trek-Segafredo goes back home to Eritrea, it doesn’t take long for him to be brought back down to earth from the highs of racing in the WorldTour and twice at the Giro d’Italia.
“When I go to race with the locals, I always get dropped,” the 23-year-old says. “It’s circuit racing and they sprint out of all of the corners. It’s 140km of sprint, sprint, sprint. They’re too strong for me.”
Tesfatsion is from the African country that has been uppermost in many cycling fans’ minds of late, almost exclusively down to his compatriot and same-age peer Biniam Girmay, who last year won Ghent-Wevelgem and a stage of the Giro.
Girmay’s successes have been hailed as a watershed for the sport, his triumphs opening the doors for more cyclists, especially black athletes, from across the continent’s 54 countries. It is hoped the 2025 Rwanda-held World Championships will further accelerate the opportunities.
It will, of course, take years to assess the tangible effect of Girmay’s and the Rwanda Worlds’ impact, but speak to anyone who knows the African scene well and they’ll inform you that the talent pool across the continent is as deep and extensive as anywhere else, with plenty more Girmays waiting to be unearthed.
But there is a problem: with accessibility to the sport severely limited, travel and finance restricting progression, and widespread corruption in some countries, finding Africa’s future stars in the villages, towns and megacities that make up the continent is almost as hard as it’s ever been.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike