Bernal ready to “suffer until the end” as Giro enters brutal final stages

Egan Bernal knows what’s coming. As the Giro d’Italia heads into its final mountain gauntlet, the 2019 Tour de France and 2021 Giro winner is bracing for two of the most punishing stages of the race, made even tougher by the rising heat.

“I think there will be brutal stages,” Bernal said to Cycling Pro Net ahead of Stage 19. “Especially now with the heat, it’s even harder.”

After two weeks where seconds were being scrapped over, Bernal believes the final two days will bring much bigger gaps. “The first week everyone was fighting for two seconds,” he explained. “Now I think there will be minutes.”

Currently sixth overall, Bernal has shown signs of his old self, attacking early on mountain stages and riding aggressively. But the Colombian remains realistic about his strategy. “Stages like today, I just have to follow the strongest guys,” he said. “It’s not too much about tactics. There are stronger guys, and I just have to follow… try to be with them as long as I can and then suffer until the end.”

Bernal’s candid, almost stoic approach highlights his understanding of the role he now plays. He may not be challenging for the pink jersey, but he’s still very much part of the battle for the top 3.

“It’s not too much tactics,” he repeated. “Just follow.”