Egan Bernal will be doing a 'Ride with Egan' Zwift (opens in new tab) ride on Saturday April 2, giving fans the opportunity to virtually cycle with him in a mass participation group ride on the platform.
Since Bernal suffered a severe crash in January, which left him requiring seven separate surgeries to treat the 20 broken bones and two collapsed lungs he suffered in the incident, cycling fans have inundated him with support during his recovery.
In order to show his appreciation for all of the messages and motivation he received, Bernal will ride with fans around Watopia's Beach Island Loop for 60 minutes. Anyone can sign up for the Ride with Egan on Zwift (opens in new tab), with all participants also getting the opportunity to ride in the British team's Bioracer kit and on the Pinarello Dogma F in-game.
Starting at 4pm BST, 10am Colombia Standard Time, Bernal wants to ride along with fans virtually before he can see them all back at races in person.
He said: “This has been, and still is, the biggest challenge I’ve ever had to deal with in life, and to be able to be back on my bike already so soon after my accident is something that I have been dreaming about for the last few weeks. I can’t describe how happy it has made me.
"But not being at the races I miss the fans and the support and energy they all give me, that’s why I want as many as possible to come join me on Zwift this Saturday and for us to ride along together for an hour.”
Earlier this week, Bernal returned to his road bike, just over two months on from the training crash which could have paralysed him. The 25-year-old shared photos of himself on social media (opens in new tab) out on the roads north of Bogotá in his home country, alongside his brother Ronald and team-mate Brandon Rivera.
Initially, it seemed inevitable Bernal would miss an extended period of time from cycling due to the injuries he suffered in the crash, but his remarkable recovery could even see him return to racing this year, according to coach Xabier Artexte (opens in new tab).
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Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
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'Difficult does not mean impossible' says Egan Bernal as he's back sprinting after sustaining horrific injuries
The Colombian posted a video of his first time sprinting on the bike to social media
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Egan Bernal admits recovery isn't all positive: 'I’ve had many painful nights and times where I can’t do much'
Colombian rider highlights how he only shares positive aspects of his recovery on social media
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Egan Bernal reveals details of training crash for first time: 'I crashed into the bus at 62kph'
Bernal shared the harrowing experience during his first interview since the incident in January
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Ineos Grenadiers issues positive update on Egan Bernal's recovery but 'have not set a definitive timeline' for return to training
Bernal is continuing to rehabilitate at his home in Colombia, less than a month after his serious training crash
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Surprise: Egan Bernal posts video of himself walking unaided following crash
Colombian has returned home for rehab after spending two weeks in hospital after his collision
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'It’s like being born again': Egan Bernal on being alive after crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider says his life changed in a second, as he is released from hospital after crash
