Egan Bernal: "I’m now thinking about the Tour de France, and not just finish or take part but to try to go for the overall"

Egan Bernal has seen almost a year pass since his crash, and in 2023 he is focused on the Tour de France. The 2019 winner is not only looking to return to the Grand Boucle, but to contest for the top places.

“I’m surprised and very happy about how much I’ve managed to do,” Bernal said in an interview with AS.. “Not even a year has gone past and I’m now thinking about the Tour de France, and not just finish or take part but to try to go for the overall and do it as well as possible."

His crash was close to ending his career, and he admit that he had thought of retiring following the many injuries. However, he's embarked on a journey that has seen him back to racing in record time, at the Tour of Denmark in August. He's had a few race days in Europe over the end of the summer before returning to Colombia to undergo some more operations.

“If you had told me a year ago, just after the accident and when I’d recently regained consciousness, that I would be thinking about the Tour de France, I don’t think I’d have believed it. Thanks to my family and my team, it’s all been possible," he added.

Over the winter Bernal has worked on his health, whilst building his form towards the season. He's meeting Remco Evenepoel at the Vuelta a San Juan where the INEOS Grenadiers rider will test his legs and very likely be a contender for the overall classification.

There, he will also meet Miguel Ángel López, compatriot and now Continental rider for Team Medellín - EPM. In the face of some rough months for Colombian cycling, Bernal was asked of both López and Quintana's ongoing situations: "They’re very good. Imagine Nairo’s history and how much the people appreciate him for being that cyclist who gave Colombia new hope. He won the Giro and the Vuelta and it’s a pity he’s not there.".

Quintana is flying to Europe to possibly sign a contract, but halfway into January things look grim for the former Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana winner. As for the López he's finding success in South America, however his Continental status inevitably means he will miss out on the whole World Tour calendar and most of the big races of the season.

“At least López got a good team, Medellín was his best option, you could call it Colombia’s best squad. He’s racing in San Juan, he’s already won in Villeta and I think it was a good deal on both sides," he concluded.