Unbreakable

The extraordinary story of Ethiopia’s cycling pioneer

Tsgabu Grmay is the first Ethiopian to compete at the pinnacle of men’s professional cycling. He became a national icon in 2016 as his country’s only ever participant in the Tour de France.

In the first ever English-language memoir by a Black or African elite road racer, Grmay – together with journalist Daniel Friebe – shares his incredible story: ‘I really came from nothing – no bike, no shoes, no helmet, nothing. Zero.’

To say that Tsgabu’s was an improbable ascent to the top of pro cycling would be an understatement as vast as the plateau upon which his home city Mekelle is perched. How could a boy growing up in Mekelle, in a two-room hut with nine siblings, one day make it to the Tour de France? From his first job aged six and a brief jail sentence aged ten to his early races, travels to Europe and ultimate arrival on the word cycling stage, Tsgabu tells how it all started with a dream.

Since retiring at the end of 2023, Tsgabu now works with cycling bodies to open new pathways into the top echelons of the sport for African riders. Through his work with Team Amani, he is passionate about truly putting African countries on the cycling world map.

Perfect for cycling fans, sports readers and inspirational story seekers, Unbreakable is the extraordinary tale of passion and resilience triumphing over adversity.