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.”
Read also
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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