South African DS Insights

STAGE 1 – YELLOW FOR AFRICA

Stage 1 | Lille – Lille | 184.9 km | Flat

If you’re new to the Tour de France, welcome to one of the wildest rides in sport — and Stage 1 is the perfect way to dive in.

Today’s opener in and around Lille is flat, fast, and built for the sprinters. But this year, one name is drawing attention for more than just his speed: Biniam Girmay. The Eritrean star made history last year by becoming the first Black African to win the green jersey (best sprinter) — and he’s back with a point to prove.

Now here’s the kicker: Girmay’s team, Intermarché–Wanty, don’t have a rider targeting the overall win (known as the General Classification or GC). That means every day is a chance to go hunting for stage wins — and Stage 1 is a big one. Winning here not only brings glory but also puts you in the yellow jersey as the overall race leader, at least for a day.

As a former DS myself, I know what they’ll be doing this morning: drilling lead-out strategy, marking the final corners, and making sure Girmay’s protected until the last 300 metres. It’s going to be elbows-out chaos in that final sprint, but if they execute cleanly, Africa could be wearing yellow tonight. Imagine that.

So, whether you’re tuning in for the first time or you’ve been watching for years, keep an eye on the Intermarché train. They’ll be all in today — and rightfully so.

Could Africa ride in yellow? Don’t blink.