Eritrean Biniam Girmay said on Sunday it was “unreal” to become the first African to claim the green jersey for most sprint points in the Tour de France.

Girmay won the second most important prize of the race, after the yellow leader’s jersey, in the final stage in Nice, ahead of last year’s winner, Belgian Jasper Philipsen.

The 24-year-old rider has claimed three stage wins, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Daryl Impey and Rob Hunter, who have both won a stage. He himself became the first black African to win a Tour stage when he took victory on the third day this year.

In 2022, he also became the first black African to win a stage in a Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia.

“It took me a long time to win the Tour de France,” Girmay told reporters after completing his second Tour de France.

“Now it’s completely different. Winning the shirt is something you can’t dream of.

“I remember a few months ago I didn’t think about it at all, it’s surreal,” added ‘Bini’.

Girmay’s groundbreaking performance was in jeopardy after he crashed in the final kilometres of stage 16 on Tuesday.

“In cycling anything can happen, I am grateful that I did not have any fractures or broken collarbones,” said an emotional Girmay.

“I told my team it’s just a small thing, we don’t have to be angry about it,” added the Intermarche-Wanty rider.

After winning his third Tour, Girmay advocated for more black riders in professional cycling.

Although cycling is a popular sport in Eritrea, the country of just over 3.5 million people has produced only a few dozen professional cyclists, including Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Daniel Teklehaimanot.

Girmay was supported by a large number of Eritrean flags displayed along the roads in France and Italy during the three weeks, where the opening three races took place.

“I’m just so happy to see them. It’s always nice to do something for your own people, it’s so special,” he said.

“Cycling is great and it’s in our blood.”

Girmay will now focus on the men’s road race at the Olympic Games on August 3, where he will be the sole representative of his country.