What a few days it has been for
Egan Bernal. After waiting
years for a victory, two have arrived in quick succession, and it’s been an
impressive start to 2025 for the Colombian.
Last week, Bernal took his first win since the 2021 Giro
d'Italia, triumphing first in the national time trial, and then yesterday he
won the road race too! These victories were more than just a race result, it
was a symbol of perseverance after years of struggle following his
life-threatening training crash in early 2022. Could we finally get the Bernal
of 2019 to 2021 back this year?
The significance of these victories cannot be overstated.
His long road back to the top has been riddled with setbacks, injuries, and
doubts about whether he could ever return to his best. Before his national
championship victory,
it had been 1,354 days since Bernal came out first during
a race, a staggering wait for a rider who once looked destined to dominate
Grand Tours for years to come. His severe accident a few years ago left him
with multiple fractures, requiring intensive rehabilitation just to be able to
ride again, let alone compete at the highest level.
Now, with these two wins under his belt, Bernal’s confidence
appears to be returning.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, his
upcoming race calendar for the spring includes Clásica Jaén later this month,
followed by the Vuelta a Andalucia, Strade Bianche, and Tirreno-Adriatico.
These races will be key in determining whether he is ready to return to Grand
Tour podium contention. Reports suggest that the Vuelta a Espana could be his
primary target for the season, marking his first time leading the INEOS
Grenadiers in a Grand Tour since his accident.
Bernal’s resurgence is not just a personal victory but a
significant boost for his team, a team desperately looking for a leader and a
grand tour threat.