It was carried in triumph, right as it happened in our country when the arrivals were not limited by barriers and the crowd could acclaim the champion. Henok Mulubrhan It was celebrated like this in Accra, the capital of Ghana, where the African continental championships were held.
The rider of Green Project-Bardiani he scored a brace that is historic in its own way. He was the defending champion and was very keen to confirm his title.
A “long” shirt
«Henok wanted to keep the title – his team manager proudly says Roberto Reverberi – and it's a prestigious title for him, but also for us on the team. It may not be a European Championship, which is almost a World Cup, but it has its own lustre. And then this means that for a year he will be wearing a nice shirt.
«And it's precisely about the shirt that I feel like laughing a little. Last year we spent a lot of time making it for him.. In fact, this must first be approved by the African confederation, then by the UCI, and then by the African confederation again. I can't tell you what a ride it was! In the end, we did it."
Continental objective
«Anyway – continues Reverberi – Henok cared about us and we knew he was fine. He spent the whole winter in his homeland, where among other things I discovered that cycling is a national sport… more so than athletics. They go crazy for cyclists, more than riders. Who knows, maybe because it was an Italian colony, because they knew Coppi and Bartali, I don't know... There is an ideal training environment down there in Eritrea. Henok lives at 2.500 meters above sea level and it feels like spring all year round.
«Before the African Championship had taken part in the Amissa Bongo. He was well placed in the standings, but at a crucial moment of the race, when the best riders attacked, he punctured. And now it will be at the start of the Tour of Rwanda (19-26 February, ed.), who will run in our colours and not in those of the national team."
Henok is untouchable
Reverberi says that Henok is a good boy. One of those who is fully committed and also has some room for growth.
«The engine is good – explains Roberto – he is a guy who doesn't back down. Compared to a Girmay he is perhaps a little less of a sprinter and a little more of a climber, but basically he remains a fairly fast athlete.
He doesn't hide. In meetings, he asks what he needs to do. He's a giver, not an individualist. Just think, last year B&B Hotels asked us for it, but we had recently acquired it and didn't see any reason to give it up. We got it now – we said to ourselves – why not believe it?
Henok has been in Italy for several years now. He previously ran for Qhubeka, directed by Daniele Nieri. Italian is learning more and more and he himself is integrating more and more.
«He had bonded a lot with Zana – continues Reverberi – and in fact at the Adriatic Ionica Rece last year he helped him with great pleasure to win. Henok did a great job for him. But I see that he gets along well with other kids too. They love him and he makes himself loved."
The former sports director speaks
And speaking of integration, Daniele Nieri also tells us something about Henok. He ultimately directed it for two years. And two of them are still in close contact.
«Yes, I am in contact with Henok – Nieri intervenes – but also with Natnael (Tesfatsion, ed.) live two kilometers from my house in Vinci… They've become Leonardo's fellow countrymen! My mom sometimes takes them grocery shopping, and they call her "mom" too!
Henok is one of the young African cyclists who's just getting started. Don't make comparisons with Girmay, because he's a phenomenon—you'll see how he turns out—and he's a special case. Mulubrhan is a good rider. A fast, cunning rider who learns quickly. It was like this with the language, with nutrition. It comes from UCI cycling school, from the cycling for all project, and then he came to me. In two years he learned a lot.
«I remember that he did the 2020 U23 Giro, the one with Covid. He shouldn't have done it, he replaced Natnael who had a physical problem, and he managed to do well (he was 11th). For me, it could go very well in Rwanda too."
