I twittered the other day about Eritrean rider Daniel Teklehaimanot possibly joining the Cervélo Test Team and since then, a second source has independently hinted at the same thing although he says it’s at the “possibility” stage rather than contract time.
You might not of heard of him but he’s 21 and finished sixth in the Tour de l’Avenir last year, alongside the likes of Romain Sicard, Teejay van Garderen, Pete Stetina and Rafael Valls Ferri. A heart scare caused a few problems but he’s back after surgery with the UCI’s World Cycling Centre team.
Now there are many young riders who deliver these results but I have to confess it’s more exciting to see a rider from Eritrea knock on the door of a pro team rather than the usual collection of French, Belgian or Italian espoirs. Note that he won’t be the first African to ride in the pro ranks, Tunisia’s Rafaâ Chtioui finished Paris-Roubaix this year with Acqua e Sapone and of course South Africa’s Robbie Hunter became the first African to win a stage of the Tour de France in 2007.
Whether he joins Cervélo or any other team remains to be seen but his story alone is worth a lot of publicity to any team who recruits him.
There is some debate as to the legitimacy of Hunter being the first African to win a stage of tdf:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Robert_Hunter_%28cyclist%29
Perhaps this is something that could be discussed further on this fine blog.
Thanks.
Fascinating Brob. I'm not French but putting my French hat on, the French territories today around the world are regarded as staunchly French, for example French Guyana is certainly part of France and not South American, just as Martinique and Guadeloupe are part of France and just happen to be in the West Indies. So as for African, I'd say someone coming from an African country.
If Hunter has an SA passport and racing licence then that does it for me… although I'll accept this is for debate and nuance.
Good call:
"Alexander Wetterhall from Sweden and Daniel Teklehaymanot from Eritrea will join Cervélo TestTeam as stagiaires: http://bit.ly/awf58x "
http://bikechatter.com/main/show/2290778
daniel teklehymanot my home town young cyclist(debarwa-Eritrea)acheived the current level as world wide famous rider dramatically with in few years from his first cycling competition at his home town.this shows that if he works hard he will definitely be not only the pride of Eritrea but also the pride of africa and the world.carry on on the track of sucssess.
wish you all the best in your future
dawit Teklemariam Asmara
Thanks for the message Dawit. From what I hear, he's not just a talented rider but a nice man, both his team mates and the coach the UCI team have enjoyed working with him.
please keep it Daniel your hard working couse they follow you so many my home town even african riders
million A.K.{ U.A.E. october 3,2010.
wow WHAT A GREAT ERITREAN CYCLIST
DANI IS ONE OF THE MOST RIDERS NOT ONLY IN ERITREA EVEN IN THE WORLD
WHO IS GOING TO COME INFRONT OF DANI
YAYAYA WE R EXPECTING DANI TO BE THE WINNER OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL CYCLING RWANDA 2010 AND TO GET THE TIME FOR THE OLYMPIC LONDON
YA SURE HE WILL GET IT BECAUSE HE IS FROM THE TOP PEOPLE OF THE WORLD MEANS ERITREANS