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Teklehaimanot Makes Tour De France History For Africa

Teklehaimanot Makes Tour De France History For Africa

African cycling team MTN-Qhubeka’s Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first African rider to earn the polka dot best climber’s jersey and only the third African ever to wear a leader’s jersey at the Tour de France on Thursday, as the sixth stage of the cycling race came to a close.

Eritrea-born Teklehaimanot negotiated the three category 4 climbs on the route, with one point available to the first rider over the top of each climb at the world’s most famous cycling race.

Europcar’s Perrig Quemeneur was Teklehaimanot’s main rival for the mountain points throughout the stage, but the 26-year-old was equal to the challenge and pushed ahead of the Frenchman on each occasion to become the first African cyclist to achieve the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey at the Tour de France race.

Following Robbie Hunter earning the white jersey in 2001, and then Daryl Impey’s yellow jersey achievement two years later, Teklehaimanot is now only the third ever African rider to earn a Tour de France leaders jersey.

“I am really happy to take the jersey. It is a big step for African cycling and I feel really proud at the moment because I have this jersey. I am excited to be able to show my team’s colours on the podium because we are trying to give 5000 bicycles to African students. Being on the podium will help our project and I want to help make a difference for my African people,” Teklehaimanot said, according to SuperSport.

“It was always our plan to get this polka dot jersey so I am happy we could do it. I am proud to be African and I am proud to be Eritrean. This is a day I will never forget,” he added.