Prosecco corks have been removed from podium celebrations after Biniam Girmay suffered a race-ending eye injury

Girmay made history on Tuesday by becoming the first black African rider to win a grand tour stage at the Giro d’Italia. But he was later forced to abandon the race after being struck in the eye by a Prosecco cork.

Girmay’s injury was severe saw him rushed to hospital just minutes after claiming his historic victory.

Race organisers have since moved to ensure there will be no repeat of the event.

Celebrations following Wednesday’s stage in Emilia-Romagna took place with pre-opened bottles of Prosecco.

In fact, Girmay was not the first rider in the race to be struck by an errant cork.

Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel narrowly avoided a similar fate after being hit in the neck while celebrating victory in the opening stage.

Star on the rise

Girmay’s absence for the remainder of the race will come as a blow to race organisers.

After a number of top five finishes, his pursuit of victory was one of the Giro’s main talking points.

The Eritrean has risen rapidly in a sport too often characterised by a lack of diversity.

Earlier this year, the 22-year-old also became the first African to win a prestigious classic cycle race.

Before his withdrawal, Girmay was sitting second in the points classification. He would have been one of the hot favourites to take out the prize by the end of the race.

Bryan Hoadley contributed to this post