Milkias Maekele may look young for a professional cyclist, but the 19-year-old already has the confident air of a champion.
Following victory in a one-day race in Algeria this year, the Eritrean sprinter is drawing comparisons with a compatriot who has reached the pinnacle of the sport.
Rumours abound that Maekele’s power output and associated data match levels recorded at a similar age by Biniam Girmay, the green jersey winner at last year’s Tour de France – fuelling a growing excitement about his potential.
“Many people have told me I might become the second Biniam,” Maekele told BBC Sport Africa.
“I am incredibly happy about this and it gives me so much motivation.”
Yet his fledgling career has already provided several challenging moments.
“I was nervous and doubted myself,” he said.
“I asked whether I was good enough or if I should, like many others my age back home, go into the military.”
Rather than return to the Eritrean capital Asmara, Maekele’s persistence on the bike has been rewarded – as he was handed a contract by Bike Aid earlier this month.
Maekele is the 24th rider from the continent – and 11th from Eritrea – to appear for the German-registered outfit since they turned professional in 2013.
“Eritrea is a cycling-crazy country full of passion and raw talent,” team manager Matthias Schnapka said.
“Milkias’ route into international cycling has not been easy, but we genuinely believe in him.”
Speed and hunger
Maekele is the latest African rider recruited by Bike Aid team manager Matthias Schnapka (left)
Maekele, a tall, thoughtful and articulate young man, now aims to repay Bike Aid’s faith.
He began to do that at the Tour of Mersin in Turkey, securing third place in Sunday’s final stage and finishing 13th in the points classification.
Fellow Eritrean Metkel Eyob, who also raced at the event, sees Maekele as a rider with “real sprinting talent”.
“His explosive acceleration and fearless racing style mark him as another future contender from Africa in world cycling,” Eyob said.
“He has the natural speed and hunger to become Eritrea’s next great sprinter.”
While Girmay is the poster boy for African cycling on the elite stage, the number of professionals from across the continent is steadily increasing.
There were a total of 17 entrants from Africa among the 171 declared starters at the Tour of Mersin, making it the largest ever such contingent at a professional road race sanctioned by the world governing body (UCI) on European soil.
According to Team Africa Rising, a non-profit organisation which helps riders and teams access equipment and training, there are almost 150 male and female riders from the continent who hol