Having ridden and finished the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España in his first season with Lampre-Merida, Tsgabu Grmay is on the long list to make his Tour de France debut in July. The 24-year-old would be the first Ethiopian cyclist to start the French grand tour should he make the nine-rider team.
"I've done the Vuelta and Giro, which was a really good experience and now I am looking to get a good result and really fight in the race and help my team to make a good result," Grmay told Cyclingnews at the Tour Down Under where he helped teammate Louis Meintjes to 16th place overall.
"I am looking to do the Tour de France, that's my biggest goal this year, I hope I will make it but I start with a really good feeling at this race. I am excited and ready to fight."
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12-months ago Grmay was one of just two African riders in the Tour Down Under. In 2016, not only were there six African starters but Africa's first WorldTour team, Dimension Data, made its debut in the race.
MTN-Qhubeka's appearance in the 2015 Tour de France as a wildcard selection was one of the highlights of the race. Steve Cummings' stage 14 victory was sporting confirmation of the team's place at the Tour, as was Daniel Teklehaimanot's stint in the polka dot jersey. The Eritrean crowds that greeted Teklehaimanot and countrymen Merhawi Kudus at each stage start and finish were emblematic of African support and enthusiasm for the sport.
A Tour de France start for Grmay would be confirmation of the growing presence of African riders in the WorldTour and further opportunity to enjoy the infectious support of African cycling fans.
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