It's true, only a few stages have passed, but Egan Bernal he is playing a good game Tour de France. Maybe among the big ones, except Adam Yates, is the happiest. The king of the Grande Boucle 2019 is slowly blossoming again. Maybe tomorrow on Marie Blanque will pay the price, but the first signs are truly positive.
The rider of Ineos Grenadiers is part of a group of very strong athletes, all looking for answers or redemption. pidcock, who probably would have preferred to be in Val di Sole, at the MTB World Cup, is on a test bench: he will have to understand whether to make the overall rankings or aim for the stages. Carlos Rodriguez he is the very young man discovering the Tour and himself. Daniel Martinez, he comes out of a rather negative Dauphiné… And then of course there is Bernal.
First goal achieved
Bernal had shown signs of recovery in previous races, but here the level is very different. There had never been any certainty about the Tour. At the Dauphiné, by his own admission, he said he was feeling unwell, despite an encouraging 12th place. Maybe some doubts even crossed his mind.
Everything had to proceed step by step. The Colombian, for example, hadn't planned on the yellow race since this winter, and so his preparation hadn't been solely focused on these three weeks: rather, on constant growth. Bernal built this presence slowly, slowly, on his own.
«It's a pleasure – Egan told us – to be back here again at the Tour. I don't remember exactly when they officially told me that I would be there, but after the Dauphiné, about ten days before the big departure, I'd say... A beautiful moment."
How much I root for Egan
Bernal is a cycling asset. If he were to return to his former self, we'd have another mega-protagonist: something that would add tension and spectacle to this crazy July.
In these days Egan was highly acclaimed. The in the Basque Country the Colombian team was strong and for him, and to tell the truth, even for Uran, there were always special choirs.
And even in Italy someone is happy. "Ah, Italy... I always feel with Savio, ElenaWe write to each other every time. We've remained close even though our stories have diverged. But I remained close to many people in Italy and to Italy itself, especially after winning the Line of Business».
With his fluent Italian, the Colombian born in 1997 recounts this adventure and his recent past. Covid and especially the accident in January 2022 were a terrible blow to his career. And as he speaks, the marks on his face from that day are evident. His upper lip and the lower part of his nose reveal scars.
«There have been many contrasting sensations and feelings during this period – says Bernal – however I've always persevered. That's life, and sometimes you just have to have the guts to be reborn again. And that's what we're doing."
Challenge with destiny
And when things go well the champion then gains confidence. Let's think about pantani He showed signs of recovery on the central ramps of Ventoux. He believed in himself and won... but by a narrow margin. And a few days later, he destroyed everyone in Courchevel. Bernal is no exception to this law.
On the Pike, the first stage, he had broken away from 15 riders. The next day, on the Jaizkibel, he remained with the best, even riding in the top positions of the peloton. He was beaming at the finish. A champion senses certain things, he understands when the "hunt" moment is approaching.
For example, Van Aert He had slipped slightly, not opening up a real gap, but the Ineos-Grendiers rider had immediately jumped him. Small things, but they boost morale: "So far, the feeling is good," the Colombian reiterated.
However, these feelings may also be good, but it is clear that he is still missing something to be the super Bernal.
«What's missing… I have to keep training and running for miles and miles. That, in my opinion, is the right formula for a good journey. I've been without pedaling for almost a year And not even two days later, I'm back at the Tour, and in this condition, too. It's good. Let's see where I can get to." Pwords that are not banal when said by a rider like Egan.
