Bernal responds to rumours of INEOS' Evenepoel interest: "All teams would like to have really strong riders"

Egan Bernal has entered the off-season with a positive mindset after recovering from his injuries in record time and returning to competition with INEOS this past August. He will be eyeing big in 2023, but has also talked about outside aspects to his position in the team.

Answering to the rumours that INEOS Grenadiers had been interested in signing Remco Evenepoel, Bernal didn't avoid answering. “It’s normal. What team in the world would not like to have the Tadej Pogacar of the day, or the Remco, really strong riders? All teams would like to have really strong riders," he said in an interview with Radio Caracol.

The rumours emerged following the Vuelta a Espana win, as INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe jokingly asked Patrick Lefevere if he would be interested in selling Evenepoel. Despite the humour, the presence of Evenepoel would fit perfectly with the team's new ongoing focus on emerging talents, and the British team's budget surpasses that of any other in the peloton, making it a possible reality. However Bernal prefers not to indulge in the rumours, and has also talked good about the riders that will be leading the team in 2023 int he Grand Tours.

"Geraint Thomas finished third in the Tour de France this year, we’ve got Carlitos Rodríguez who could be up for winning a Grand Tour next year for sure. We’ve got some great riders as well," he commented, also mentioning teammate and friend Daniel Martínez as someone who is ready to win a Grand Tour. 

In order to win at the best level he will need to get through riders such as Pogacar and Evenepoel. “It goes without saying that they are very strong, but I have faith and I’ve won a Giro and a Tour myself. It would be a very interesting Tour, to go there, give it everything and then - may the strongest rider win…that’s sport."

Asked about the possibility of winning the Vuelta a Espana too one day, Bernal was not shy of revealing that ambition. "The only one of the three Grand Tours I've yet to get. Personally winning all three would be great. After that I could retire happy. It's a very tough race to win, but I'm 25 and I've got lots of years ahead of me," he concluded.