The Eritrean Cyclist Biniam Girmay abandoned this Wednesday in the Giro d’Italiaone day after his historic victory in stage 10 and the left eye injury caused by uncorking a bottle of prosecco (sparkling wine) on the podium, confirmed his Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team.
Girmay became on Tuesday the first black rider from Africa to win a stage in one of the three Grand Tours (Italy, France, Spain). However, at the moment of celebrating his victory on the Jesi podium, the 22-year-old suffered that eye injury from the impact of the cork from the giant bottle of wine Italian sparkling wine that was opening.
He was treated at Jesi hospitalexcellently according to the Intermarché team doctor, and joined his training camp in Riccione, where a small party had been organized in his honor.
The Belgian team chose to wait until Wednesday morning to make a decision about whether he should continue in the Giro.
In the team environment it was underlined that the decision to abandon the Italian round was taken out of prudence. Girmay, who left his team’s hotel on Wednesday after saying goodbye to his teammates, will undergo new ophthalmological tests.
“Tests have revealed left eye injurywho need great caution and rest”, specified the Intermarché team.
🇪🇷 @GrmayeBiniam quits #Turn d’Italia after yesterday’s incident at the prize-giving ceremony. We can’t wait to have you back on the roads of the Giro!
🇪🇷 @GrmayeBiniam, dopo l’incidente di ieri alle awardazioni, abbandona il Giro. Bini, we aspettiamo presto sulle nostre strade! pic.twitter.com/K4vfWq9xme
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 18, 2022
His doctor Piet Daneels specified that “a hemorrhage was detected in the anterior chamber of the left eye by Binyam Girmay.
“The evolution of his injury is going well”, he added. “In order to minimize the risk of hemorrhagic expansion and intraocular pressure, it is highly recommended to avoid intensive activities. Our priority is a complete recovery from the injury and that is why We have decided, in agreement with the runner and the sports management, that Biniam does not show up at the start of the eleventh stage”, he affirmed.
“I’m happy about yesterday’s (Tuesday) victory, but a little sad about what happened on the podium. When I came back from the hospital everyone was happy, but also a little worried. Unfortunately I won’t be at the start this Wednesday. I can’t continue the Giro, because my eye needs a rest. I am looking forward to the rest of the season. Thank you all for all the support”, he said on the Intermarché team networks.
In a few months, Girmay has become one of the big names in the international squad. He is the first African rider to have his name entered in the winners’ list of a classic (Ghent-Wevelgem, at the end of March).
He was second in the opening stage of this Giro in Hungary, behind Mathieu Van der Poel, and beat that Dutch rider in a long sprint at the finish of stage ten on Tuesday. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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