Egan Bernal
Egan Bernal
Nationality: Colombian
Date of birth: January 13, 1997
Team: Team Ineos
Twitter: @Eganbernal (opens in new tab)
Little was known about Egan Bernal before he was signed by Team Sky in 2018. Another rider from the long line of Colombian climbers, he was signed by Androni-Sidermec team boss Gianni Savio in 2016 and immediately began racing at the senior level, bypassing the U23 category.
Impressive results came quickly, with top 10 finishes in the Vuelta a San Juan and Tour of the Alps. His first professional win came in the Sibiu Cycling Tour with two stage victories and the overall, rubber-stamping his position as a force to be reckoned with.
The string of results drew the attention of Team Sky talent scouts and a contract buyout of €350,000 saw Bernal switch teams at the end of the 2017 season, then signing a five-year contract extension at the end of the 2018 season.
Throughout 2018, there were a flurry of questions surrounding the Colombian's development and whether Ineos were over-racing Bernal during a packed season. He rode as a mountain domestique in the Tour, supporting Thomas to victory and putting in a phenomenal performance on Alpe d'Huez, whilst also finishing second in the white jersey competition and 15th overall. The season also saw him win the overall at Amgen Tour of California and podium at the Tour de Romandie.
It was 2019 when Bernal's potential fully emerged as he became a leader in a Grand Tour. While he was initially due to lead Team Ineos at the Giro d'Italia, a training crash on the eve of the race resulted in him missing the Giro and instead racing the Tour.
Bernal came into the Tour piping hot, with GC wins in Paris-Nice and Tour de Suisse. However, his lack of Grand Tour leadership experience ensured many commentators wrote him off.
As a co-leader with Geraint Thomas, there were also persistent questions rivalry between the two. It became apparent, however, that both were willing to work for the other and ultimately let the road decide. Decide it did and after 21 stages of one of the most exciting Tours in recent memory, Bernal became the youngest winner since 1909 and the first Colombian to win the race.
A phenomenal battle between the panache of the Frenchman Alaphilippe and the steadfast Ineos riders ensued. After holding the jersey for 14 days, stage 19 saw Alaphilippe lose yellow after being dropped on the Col de l'Iseran. After the stage was cancelled midway due to landslides at the summit of the climb, the time difference was enough for Bernal to take yellow, which he defended the next day, doing enough to be crowned overall victor.
In 2020, Bernal has raced four stage races and the national championships, he dominated at the Route d'Occitanie but was bettered by other riders in the Tour Colombia 2.1 and the Tour de l'Ain, then he abandoned the Critérium du Dauphiné due to back pain.
He is set to lead the Team Ineos Tour de France squad as the sole leader after Thomas and Froome didn't make the team.
Latest
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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
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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Egan Bernal urges fans to remain patient in latest video documenting recovery: 'Wait for me, I'll be back racing soon'
Bernal and Ineos Grenadiers posted a behind-the-scenes video of the rider as he discusses his return to cycling
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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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
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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Egan Bernal offering opportunity for fans to ride with him on Zwift
The Colombian is eager to show his appreciation to fans by planning a virtual Zwift ride this Saturday
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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Egan Bernal back on road bike two months after horror crash
Ineos Grenadiers rider says it is "the happiest day of my life"
By Adam Becket • Published
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Egan Bernal could return to racing in 2022, says coach
The Colombian posted a picture of himself back on the bike yesterday
By Jonny Long • Published
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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
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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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
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
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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
By Adam Becket • Published