Eritrean champion Merhawi Kudus got his start in cycling when he was 14. His first race was with his school mountain-biking team, back in Asmara, the Eritrean capital where he was born and raised. He eventually transitioned to road racing and moved up through his country’s ranks before moving to Europe to turn pro. Merhawi is a gifted climber, whose results include an overall win at the Tour du Rwanda, as well as Eritrean road and time trial titles. He loves riding in the mountains around his European base in Andorra. Whenever he misses home, he will dance to Eritrean music. It’s always extra special when his country-people come out to the races to cheer him on.