“Being there, for him, is already an incredible achievement”. Egan Bernal, the Colombian rider of the Ineos Grenadiers team, received the tribute on Wednesday from his English teammate Tom Pidcock, three days before the start of the Tour de France, Saturday from Bilbao (Spain). From the Basque Country, the 26-year-old Colombian also spoke at a press conference on this return to the Tour de France, a year and a half after his very serious accident.
At the end of January 2022, the winner of the 2019 Tour and the 2021 Giro had hit a parked heavyweight at full speed during training in Colombia. Placed in intensive care, with multiple fractures, he underwent several operations, including one on the spine, and is now enjoying his return to the race that made him king.
You were not sure to participate in the Tour de France after the Criterium du Dauphiné (finished in 12th place, 6′44 behind the winner Jonas Vingegaard). How did you learn about your selection?
EGAN BERNAL. Before the Dauphiné, I thought I would be on vacation in July, I had very big doubts about being able to come here on the Tour. Then my race at Dauphiné was not too bad. The team made the decision the following week. During the Dauphiné they asked me to stay focused, focus on the Tour in case I can go there. Obviously for me it was not difficult to motivate myself, it is such a great joy to go on the Tour. And here I am.
With what ambitions?
To be honest, I’m not sure of anything. I have to take the race day by day. This is my first 3 week run in a very long time. I didn’t prepare for this race 100%. But of course I will do my best. The objective is not to waste too much time on the first days. And we’ll see after how I feel. What is good is that I will have a role of free electron in the team. We will decide what we do according to my feelings, and my legs of course.
After what happened to you, do you think you can return to your level, that of a winner of the Tour de France?
It was very difficult times. First of all, I must be grateful to still be alive, to be there with you at the start of the Tour. Obviously, I would love to use my level, to win back the Tour, to fight with all these big names, who are winning now. I would like to compete with them. That’s why I’m still on a bike, I wake up every day thinking about that, getting back to my best, that’s what I’m trying to do. Since the day I had this accident, I always thought about coming back, it was a constant desire to resort.
What would it mean for you to see Paris again?
It would be fantastic. Completing a first Grand Tour after this crash would be a big step for me. It would be useful for me in the future. To finish this Tour de France, with good feelings, that would allow me to think about the continuation, the Vuelta, to return to the Tour next year.
