Die Tour of Eritrea entstand aus einem Radrennen, das zum ersten Mal 1946 veranstaltet wurde und findet in ihrer heutigen Form seit 2001 statt. In zehn Etappen werden von 100 Radprofis und einer wesentlich größeren Zahl von Amateuren 710 km gefahren. Radsport ist überaus beliebt in Eritrea und Tausende von Zuschauern verfolgen diesen Wettbewerb.
Asmara, Eritrea
People wait for the finish of the fourth stage, a 62-kilometer-long climb from Massawa on the coast to Asmara, 2,350 meters above sea level. The Tour of Eritrea has its origins in a cycle race first held in 1946, though the form of the present-day event dates from 2001. It takes place in ten stages, over 710 kilometers, with some 100 professional and many more amateur participants. Cycling is enormously popular in Eritrea and the contest attracts thousands of spectators.
Photo credit:
Panos Pictures for Geo
Chris Keulen speaks about the project:
"When photographing I mainly concentrate on daily life events. A good balance between the sad and the cheerful elements of life are important for me. I’m a slow photographer and always try to build up a relationship with the people I’m photographing. After producing a book about Rwanda and Congo, I started to document African life cycle for five years. This resulted in Hot splinters of glass; le tour d’Afrique, a book that was published in 2008. It contained my World Press Photo winning pictures of Burkina Faso of 2000. In 2009 Geo Germany asked me to go back to Eritrea to follow the giro. The story was published in April 2010 and was again awarded with a World Press Photo award in sports.
Eritrea's passion for cycling is one of many lasting influences of Italian colonial rule. The country's first multi-day cycle race was staged in 1946, although locals were not allowed to enter. The giro was resurrected 55 years later, a symbol of the newfound confidence of a nation, which had finally achieved its independence in 1991.
Africa's oldest cycle race is a far cry from the televised sporting extravaganzas that we're used to seeing on TV. But a live telecast almost seems unnecessary. The roads are packed with spectators. The event is a huge celebration in a country whose repressive regime gives its people little to cheer about. I photographed the giro twice - in 2004 and 2009."
Los orígenes del Tour de Eritrea se remontan a una carrera ciclista que se disputó por primera vez en 1946, aunque la estructura del acontecimiento actual se remonta a 2001. Cuenta con diez etapas, un recorrido de unos 710 kilómetros, cerca de 100 participantes profesionales y muchos otros aficionados. El ciclismo es inmensamente popular en Eritrea y la carrera atrae a miles de espectadores.
Si la première édition du Tour d’Érythrée cycliste remonte à 1946, le tour dans sa forme actuelle date de 2001. Il a lieu en dix étapes sur 710 km, avec plus de 100 participants professionnels et bien plus d’amateurs. Le cyclisme est très populaire en Érythrée et la course attire des milliers de spectateurs.
Il Giro d’Eritrea trae origine da una gara ciclistica organizzata per la prima volta nel 1946, anche se l’evento, nella sua forma attuale, risale al 2001: il percorso è suddiviso in 10 tappe, su un totale di 710 chilometri e vede la partecipazione di 100 professionisti e di un numero maggiore di dilettanti. In Eritrea il ciclismo è molto popolare e la gara attira migliaia di spettatori.
De Ronde van Eritrea stamt oorspronkelijk af van een wielerwedstrijd uit 1946, maar bestaat sinds 2001 in zijn huidige vorm. In tien etappes wordt in totaal 710 kilometer afgelegd door circa 100 beroepsrenners en talrijke amateurs. Wielrennen is zeer populair in Eritrea en de wielerwedstrijd trekt dan ook duizenden toeschouwers.
