Biniam Girmay abandoned the Giro d’Italia after the cork from a bottle of prosecco hit him in the eye while celebrating his first victory in a stage of the Italian competition after this Wednesday’s race.
Girmay became the first Afro-descendant African cyclist to win a stage in a Grand Tour after beating Mathieu van der Poel in the last sprint on the line in Jesi, the tenth stage that was held on Tuesday.
But during the celebration, the African had to be taken to a emergency hospital after hitting himself in the eye with the prosecco bottle cork while celebrating on the podium after the joy of victory.
Girmay, from 22 years old, celebrated with his classmates after he returned from the hospital. During Wednesday’s stage he could not run due to the limitation in his sight.
“When I arrived after the hospital, the bad moment, I enjoyed a little bit with my peers, the staff, everyone,” Girmay said inn a video on her team’s social media channel. “I’m happy now too. I was a bit sad about what happened with the champagne, but when I got back to the hotel, they were super happy too.
A celebration gone wrong.
Biniam Girmay, who became the first African to win a stage of the Giro d’Italia, withdrew from the competition because the champagne cork hit him directly in the eye during the celebration. What madness not! pic.twitter.com/esLAmzSwuv— Alexis Ruiz (@ruiz1to) May 19, 2022
“They were a little scared, but when I looked good, we really enjoyed it. But today fortunately I didn’t start the race because I still have my eyes, I need to rest to give my eye more power… I’m fine now, see you soon”.
In March , Girmay became the first rider from a sub-Saharan country to win a one-day classic at the Gent-Wevelgem race.
🍾🤕 Biniam Girmay, the first African to win a stage of the Giro d’Italia, withdraws from the competition because in the celebration the champagne cork directly hit his eye. pic.twitter.com/X550W3PVfVW— Julián Capera (@JulianCaperaB) May 18, 2022
Also read:
What’s wrong with Chicharito? Javier Hernández has gone seven games without scoring and was substituted in the LA Galaxy’s draw against Minnesota United
“Piojo Out”: The Tigres fans had no mercy on Miguel Herrera after being beaten by the Atlas
They destroy Miguel Herrera and the hopes of Tigres de la UANL: the memes had no mercy with the “Piojo” and his players for the landslide