Egan Bernal has topped the Strava leaderboard on some tough Andorran mountains just days after breaking his collarbone.
The Team Ineos rider was forced to abandon his Giro d’Italia leadership after he crashed during a training ride on the eve of the Italian Grand Tour.
Bernal has made a rapid recovery and is back out on the bike in the Andorran mountains, where he took three King of the Mountains and a slew of top 10s.
The 22-year-old Colombian rode just 68.64km in his first time back out on the bike after the crash, spending two hours and 45 minutes in the saddle.
>>> Watch: Rémi Cavagna’s sketchy descending while riding to Tour of California solo victory
He racked up 1,896m of climbing in the short ride, which took him up the Coll de la Gallina, which featured in stage 20 of the 2018 Vuelta a España.
The climb is 8.15km-long, with an average gradient of eight percent.
Bernal crested the second category climb in 29-44, riding at 16.5km/h for the duration and holding 324 watts.
The ride was strong enough to put Bernal at the top of the Strava leaderboard, almost a minute faster than his Team Ineos team-mate David de la Cruz who climbed it in 30-37.
Bernal also took the KoM on the first category Col de la Garina CS-111 segment – a first category climb which averages nine per cent that was included in stage 19 of last year’s Vuelta.
>>>Former Team Sky rider Jon Dibben joins Madison-Genesis
With a time of 28-23, Bernal bested the previous KoM holder Eduardo Sepulveda (Movistar) who completed the climb in 29-12.
Bernal’s final KoM of the day was a longer version of the same climb, the Cs 111 Climb, which is 9.62km at eight per cent.
The HC climb KoM was previously held by Robert Gesink (Jumbo-Visma), but his 34-40 time was beaten by Bernal’s 33.47.
Bernal climbed at 17.1km/h and held 322w for the duration of the ascent.
-
-
Cash in on REI Cyber Week deals all week long
REI's Cyber Week sales are live with deals on cycling and outdoor gear. We've rounded up some of our favorites here. Check out these deals and start planning your next adventure.
By Josh Patterson •
-
Van Rysel Women's Winter Cycling Bib Tights Quick Zip Review
Van Rysel’s Winter Bib Tights are an affordable option for those continuing to ride outdoors in the colder weather. The Quick-Zip system is a nice idea and certainly makes for a swift comfort break. However, the fit and comfort of the tights are compromised by it, and there are practical issues with it too.
By Emma Silversides •
-
Meet Magnus Sheffield: Ineos Grenadiers' teenage American recruit who's not raced a bike much, yet intends on winning in his own fastidious way
A former skier, Sheffield has signed a three-year contract with the British WorldTour team
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Cyclist uses Strava to create portrait of moustached man for Movember
Anthony Hoyte cycled 72.7 miles across London to map the image out
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
'From the moment I left the team, I had in my head that one day I would come back': Elia Viviani returns to Ineos Grenadiers after four years away
The Italian sprinter has racked up a long list of wins and achievements since leaving the British team at the end of 2017
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Brit Ben Turner joins Ineos Grenadiers for 2022
The young British rider has come through a similar path to Tom Pidcock in cyclocross
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Omar Fraile signs two-year deal with Ineos Grenadiers
The Spaniard is the team's second signing of four rider announcements today
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Ineos Grenadiers announce signing of German under 23 national road race champion
Kim Heiduk has signed for Ineos Grenadiers for two years
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Geraint Thomas set to sign new deal with Ineos Grenadiers despite 'tough' negotiations
The Welshman's current contract runs out at the end of 2021
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Tim Kerrison set to leave Ineos Grenadiers amidst management change
The British WorldTour team parts ways with head coach behind Wiggins, Froome and Thomas' Grand Tour wins
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
