Tour de France Riders I've Met
I’ll be honest, one of the few places where being Black in Amsrica is an advantage is at a bike race. First off, you have to be pretty involved in cycling to find yourself at a race. It’s not like they are well advertised. And in the moments I was in good shape, looking the part in cycling is half the battle.
I also happen to be a cycling junkie and chase opportunities to meet my favorite riders. So here are a few pics and at the end a couple of videos. I had small conversations with each of them. Cyclists are typically quite friendly.
Peter Sagan: I chased this picture for over three years! Easily my favorite rider, Peter Sagan, holds the record with seven green jerseys in the Tour de France and has 12 victories. Equally impressive are the 22 second place and 13 third place finishes he amassed in the Tour.
Mark Cavendish: From the Isle of Man, in England, Sir Mark Cavendish holds the record for most stage wins at 35. He also won the green jersey (best sprinter) twice. This picture was taken before stage 3 of the 2016 Tour of California held in Thousand Oaks.
Mark Cavendish 2: Sir Mark Cavendish is the winningest rider in the Tour with 35 stage wins. This pic was taken in Brugge, Belgium — Pan De Brugge — March 2023.
Caleb Ewan: Aussie Caleb Ewan is a five-time stage winner of the Tour. This pic was taken in Brugge, Belgium — Pan De Brugge — March 2023.
Sam Bennett: Irishman Sam Bennet, a sprinter, is a three-time Tour de France stage winner. This pic was taken in Brugge, Belgium — Pan De Brugge — March 2023.
Quinn Simmons is the current United States road champion and is riding in his third Tour de France. This pic was taken at the Maryland Classic in September 2022.
Neilson Powless is the first tribally recognized Native American to ride in the Tour. 2025 marks his fifth consecutive year. This pic was taken at the Maryland Classic in September 2022.
Michael Matthews: Affectionately known as Bling, the Australian Mathews has 4 Tour stage wins and took home the green jersey for best sprinter in 2017. This pic was taken at the Maryland Classic in September 2022.
Sir Bradley Wiggins: In 2012, Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour de France. This picture was taken before stage 3 of the 2016 Tour of California held in Thousand Oaks.
Biniam Girmay: In 2024, Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay became the first Black African to win a stage of the Tour de France, securing three wins and a historic green jersey for best sprinter. This picture was taken before the start of stage 1 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia.
Daniel Teklehaimanot: In 2015, Eritrea-born Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first African rider to wear the polka dot jersey, denoting the best climber, in the Tour de France. This picture was taken before stage 3 of the 2016 Tour of California held in Thousand Oaks.
Jonathan Vaughters: Former professional cyclist and CEO of pro team EF Education First Pro Cycling, Jonathan Vaughters rode the Tour every year from 1994 to 2003. This picture was taken before stage one of the Giro d’Italia. Just outside of Turin, Italy.