IMAGE: 0x41434f cycling on an open road.
Cycling has always been deeply personal to me. It started as a pastime during my summer lessons in 2010, riding through the streets after my Junior Secondary School Examination. Back then, my friends and I rode for the sheer joy of it—no training plans, no professional aspirations, just the thrill of freedom and speed. Cycling felt magical, but the pathways to professional success in the sport were nonexistent where I grew up. Unlike my soccer-loving peers, who had scouts and local clubs to help them dream of international stardom, we cyclists had nothing but our bikes and the open road.
Years later, that gap in opportunity still stings, but my passion for cycling has only grown stronger. My original goal was to be the first Black African to win a stage of the Tour de France. However, in 2024, three stories reshaped my perspective and pushed me to aim even higher: Kristen Faulkner’s historic Olympic gold, Saurabh Netravalkar’s cricket success, and Biniam Girmay’s groundbreaking Tour de France victories.
Kristen Faulkner: A Pathway to Gold
Watching Kristen Faulkner cross the finish line at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first U.S. woman in 40 years to win an Olympic road race, was a moment I’ll never forget. Her triumph was breathtaking, but it was her journey that struck me most. A former tech professional, Faulkner left her career to chase her dream of cycling at the highest level. Her words, “I love learning, and I love new challenges1,” echoed my own inner thoughts about balancing ambition with passion.
As I sat glued to the screen, watching her celebrate in gold, I realized that the limitations we impose on ourselves are often just that—self-imposed. Faulkner didn’t have a traditional path to professional cycling, yet her boldness to embrace new challenges redefined what was possible for her. That moment made me question my own hesitations: What’s stopping me from aiming higher, from chasing the yellow jersey itself? If Faulkner could pivot and thrive, why couldn’t I?
Saurabh Netravalkar: Balancing Two Worlds
I stumbled across Saurabh Netravalkar’s story in a Washington Post profile, and it immediately resonated with me. A software engineer at Oracle, Netravalkar didn’t just excel in cricket; he became the face of Team USA’s underdog success at the T20 World Cup. His game-changing performance against Pakistan—a win that shocked the cricket world—wasn’t just about athletic brilliance. It was a masterclass in time management, discipline, and leveraging passion to its fullest potential.
Netravalkar’s ability to navigate two demanding careers was both inspiring and humbling. Here was someone working long hours in tech yet finding time to train and compete at the highest level of his sport. His story reinforced an idea I’d been grappling with: balancing cycling with a career in tech isn’t just possible—it can be a strength. The analytical thinking, strategic planning, and resilience I’ve developed as a software engineer are just as valuable on the bike as they are at the keyboard.
Biniam Girmay: Breaking Barriers in Cycling
Then came the moment that forever changed my aspirations: watching Biniam Girmay surge ahead in a sprint finish to win Stage 3 of the 2024 Tour de France. I was watching live, and when he crossed the finish line, arms raised in triumph, I couldn’t hold back my excitement. Girmay had become the first Black African to win a stage at the Tour de France, shattering a barrier that had stood for over a century.
As if that wasn’t enough, Girmay went on to win two more stages and claimed the green jersey, awarded to the leader of the points classification. His performance was a masterclass in consistency, tactical awareness, and raw talent. Watching him wear the green jersey on the Champs-Élysées, I realized the potential for Black African cyclists to dominate the sport—and my dream of simply winning a stage felt too small.
Girmay’s words during the Tour stayed with me: “This year I’m the only Black rider in the peloton… I wish there were more2.” His success isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a call to action for greater diversity and inclusion in cycling. Watching him inspired me to think beyond myself and imagine a future where more African riders have the resources and support to compete—and win—on the global stage.
From Inspiration to Action
The stories of Faulkner, Netravalkar, and Girmay have deeply influenced my evolving aspirations. They’ve shown me that breaking barriers isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about inspiring others and creating pathways for those who come next.
For me, the dream of winning the Tour de France isn’t just about crossing the Champs-Élysées in yellow. It’s about creating opportunities for others who share my passion but lack the resources to pursue it. Growing up, I didn’t have access to structured training or professional guidance, but I’m determined to change that for the next generation.
My vision is to establish a cycling academy in my home country, providing young riders with the training, mentorship, and resources they need to compete on the global stage. Long-term, I aim to own a European professional cycling team dedicated to nurturing African talent. This isn’t just about cycling; it’s about leveling the playing field and showing young Africans that their dreams are valid and achievable.
The Road Ahead
Watching Faulkner redefine what’s possible, reading about Netravalkar balancing two worlds, and witnessing Girmay break barriers at the Tour de France have been transformative. They’ve taught me that ambition isn’t about choosing between passions—it’s about integrating them and pushing boundaries in both.
Dreams evolve, but their core remains the same: to inspire, to push limits, and to leave a legacy. Winning the Tour de France would be a monumental achievement, but building a future where African cyclists thrive on the world stage—that’s the ultimate goal. I’ll carry the lessons of Faulkner, Netravalkar, and Girmay with me as I chase my dream, confident that the path I’m forging can inspire others to dream even bigger.