Henok Mulubrhan, a two-time African champion and the 2023 African Cyclist of the Year, emphasizes the need for more opportunities for African cyclists to compete, reflecting on Eritrea’s rise in the cycling world. With aspirations to achieve similar success as Biniam Girmay, he looks forward to the 2025 World Road Championships in Africa as a chance for African riders to showcase their talents. However, he also highlights the challenge of limited races that hinders professional growth for young cyclists in Africa.
Henok Mulubrhan, a two-time African cycling champion and the 2023 African Cyclist of the Year, has expressed his ambition to rise to the top ranks in international cycling and emulate Eritrean cycling sensation Biniam Girmay. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, the 24-year-old rider, who represents the Astana Qazaqstan Team, emphasized the need for increased opportunities for African cyclists to showcase their talents, noting the limited number of racing events across the continent. Since Eritrea’s emergence as Africa’s premier cycling nation over the last decade, highlighted by the historic achievements of pioneers like Daniel Teklehaimanot, more riders have successfully entered WorldTour teams, leading to a surge in competitive cycling from the region. “Eritrean cyclists are really increasing their level and this represents motivation for all of us,” stated Mulubrhan, reflecting on the heightened aspirations among Eritrean riders driven by recent accomplishments. He began his career alongside Girmay at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland and expressed admiration for his friend’s success, mentioning, “Bini and I are really good friends… His success hasn’t changed him. He’s always the same.” In Eritrea, cycling is deeply entrenched in the culture, generating significant public support for riders. Mulubrhan shared that acknowledgment from fans extends beyond Eritrea to Europe, enhancing their visibility internationally. Looking ahead, Mulubrhan is eager to seize the opportunity presented by the 2025 World Road Championships, scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, stating that it would serve as a platform for African cyclists to demonstrate their capabilities. He described the challenging course and emphasized that this landmark event as the first World Championships in Africa would provide significant motivation for African competitors. Despite the excitement surrounding such events, Mulubrhan highlighted a systemic challenge in African cycling: the scarcity of races. He articulated that, “Unfortunately, there are not enough races for the African young riders to show their qualities.” This limited exposure hinders opportunities for riders to secure contracts with European teams, thereby stifling the growth of cycling on the continent. Mulubrhan’s journey has seen him transition from local competitions to more prestigious arenas, including a two-year contract with Astana following his successful performances throughout the past year. He is optimistic about his future, aspiring not just to participate in Grand Tours but also to achieve victory. “My dream is to have a WorldTour race win for the team, but also for me. Winning a stage in a Grand Tour would be amazing,” he stated. With such ambition, Henok Mulubrhan represents a promising future for African cycling, as he and his compatriots strive to elevate their sport to new heights.
The article centers on Henok Mulubrhan, an emerging star in the world of cycling hailing from Eritrea, a nation that has gained recognition as a leader in African cycling. Over the years, individuals like Daniel Teklehaimanot have put Eritrea on the international cycling map, inspiring a new wave of cyclists. Recently, achievements by Eritrean riders, especially Biniam Girmay, have fueled enthusiasm and motivation among the continent’s athletes. Despite the rising momentum, Mulubrhan discusses the pressing need for enhanced opportunities for African riders to compete at the international level and the current lack of sufficient races to showcase their skills. He also underscores the significance of upcoming events, such as the 2025 World Road Championships in Rwanda, as pivotal moments for African cycling.
Henok Mulubrhan represents a dynamic force in Eritrean cycling, characterized by ambition and a keen desire to elevate the profile of African riders on the world stage. His reflections illuminate the challenges faced by athletes from the continent, notably the limited racing opportunities which restrict their professional growth. Nonetheless, with upcoming major events and a growing support base, Mulubrhan’s aspirations, alongside those of his peers, may herald a new chapter in the success of African cycling.
Original Source: olympics.com
