Egan Bernal admits he 'knew from day one he wasn’t at his best level’ at the Vuelta a España 2021
The Colombian Grand Tour star has gradually slipped back on general classification

Egan Bernal has admitted he “knew from day one” that he wasn’t in his best form at the Vuelta a España 2021.
The Ineos Grenadiers leader, winner of the Giro d’Italia earlier this year, was among the favourites to try and topple reigning champion Primož Roglič heading into the race.
But Bernal has gradually slipped back on general classification, as Roglič has continued to dominate the Spanish Grand Tour in his characteristic style.
On stage 11, Roglič flourished yet again, taking his second victory of this year’s race, while Bernal lost a handful of second on the wall-like climb to Valdepeñas de Jaén.
Speaking after the stage, Bernal said: “I knew from day one that I wasn’t at my best level, and if you’re not at your best level it’s hard to win the race.
“My goal remains to give my best and we’ll keep trying.”
He added: “It’s very difficult to get to your best level overnight, that comes with months of preparation, but you have to keep calm and stay alert.”
Bernal’s performance in the race so far has been far from disastrous however, as he has confidently held position in the top-10 and has tried to minimise his losses to Roglič on the uphill finishes.
But it is not the dominant position we’ve seen from the Colombian star in the past, during his 2019 Tour de France victory and his comfortable win in the 2021 Giro.
With 10 stages remaining, Bernal now sits seventh overall, 4-46 off the race lead, but almost three minutes down to leader-in-waiting Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma).
On the punchy uphill finish on day 11, Bernal said: “The finish was really tough. The last meters were very difficult.”
“It must have been a nice stage to watch on television. It was important to be at the end of the front, but also to control your effort because the wall was long.”
Ineos have tried a dual-leadership approach in this year, backing Adam Yates and Bernal after Richard Carapaz quickly fell out of contention.
Yates has been slightly stronger than Bernal on many of the sharp uphill finishes in this Vuelta, but currently sits eighth overall, 11 seconds behind his team-mate.
The question now: do Ineos have the capability of clawing their way onto the podium in the final two weeks?
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
‘Moments to live and remember’: Roglič set to win the pink jersey after winning extraordinary penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia
Thomas loses the pink jersey to Slovenian by just 14 seconds
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
The best Memorial Day deals for cyclists
Memorial Day is coming up in the United States. We've rounded up the best Memorial Day deals for cyclists including bikes, apparel, gear and accessories.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
By Adam Becket • Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘I’m not going there as a favourite’ - Tao Geoghegan Hart plays down Giro d’Italia chances despite success
The British rider is two days away from winning the Tour of the Alps, but said he would be just one of many 'pieces in the puzzle' at the Giro
By Tom Thewlis • Published