Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) may have made history at last year's Giro d'Italia, becoming the first black African to win a Grand Tour stage, but he cannot get to the start line of the World Championships in Glasgow this weekend after being denied a visa.
As an African intending to travel to Britain, he needed a visa to enter the country, effectively for a working trip. But the Eritrean legend has been refused, as have a number of African riders. His Eritrean team mates - including Natnael Tesfatsion, Merhawi Kudus, and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier - have also been denied visas by the Home Office.
It appears the visas have been denied, with some appeals lodged. Other African riders are still awaiting a decision by the Home Office around the granting of their visas.
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Intermarché-Circus-Wanty had said Girmay was out of the Worlds due to crash injuries he sustained last week. However, news has emerged today that he and the others were denied the visas they needed to travel to Britain. However, three other Eritrean riders have been granted visas; Natnael Berhane, Henok Mulubrahn and Dawit Yemane.
It is not the first time cyclists have run into problems with visas, by being denied or applying too late, to race in Britain or ride the Worlds. In 2019, Richard Caparaz - then a Movistar rider - was denied a visa when he wanted to race the Tour of Britain. Last year, US rider Lawson Craddock was a denied a visa by the Australian authorities and could not ride the Worlds.
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty had said in a statement Girmay's crash in Clasica San Sebastián last Saturday "at a speed of more than 60 kilometer per hour" meant he had to withdraw from the world title race, for which he was regarded as a real medal contender. The team said he had suffered "contusions and pain in the hip" preventing him racing in Glasgow this weekend.
Asked by The Guardian newspaper why the visas had not been granted to the riders, the Home Office said: “We do not routinely comment on individual cases. All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in line with the immigration rules. We have been working closely with organisers to ensure that participants of this event are clear on the visa application process and timelines.”
