“I always aim for victory” – Egan Bernal returns to racing at Tour of the Alps after disrupted 2026 start with INEOS Grenadiers
Cycling
Egan Bernal returns to racing at the Tour of the Alps, bringing an end to a disrupted opening phase of his 2026 season and offering the first real indication of where his form stands ahead of the Giro d’Italia.
The INEOS Grenadiers leader has not competed since finishing seventh at the Faun-Ardèche Classic on February 28, with knee problems keeping him out of action throughout March. That absence came just weeks after he had retained his Colombian national road race title, a result that had pointed towards another step forward following his steady progress last season.
Building back after a disrupted start
Speaking ahead of the opening stage, Bernal made clear that his focus is on rebuilding progressively after that early setback. “I’ve done a lot of training at altitude in Colombia, and I’m curious to assess my condition,” he said.
The Colombian remained at home during his recovery period, prioritising training as he managed the knee issue that halted his early campaign. “After the knee problem at the start of the season, I preferred to prepare at home and I’ll try to improve progressively stage by stage.”
That approach underlines a more measured build, with the emphasis placed on consistency and continuity after a stop-start beginning to the year.
A return with intent
Despite that cautious tone, Bernal’s ambition remains unchanged. “When you pin on a number, you always aim for victory: I’ll give my all,” he said.
The Tour of the Alps provides an immediate test, with a demanding route that will quickly expose where each rider stands. Bernal pointed to the decisive moments that lie ahead while keeping his focus on a steady progression. “Val Martello will be the toughest stage, but I have to think day by day, to try and do the best possible.”
It also marks a return to a race he has not contested in nearly a decade. “It’s been nine years since I last rode the Tour of the Alps, but I have very good memories,” he said.
INEOS Grenadiers at the pre-2026 Tour of the Alps press conference
Giro d’Italia picture begins to take shape
With the Giro d’Italia approaching, Bernal’s return comes at a key moment in his season. The Tour of the Alps offers the first opportunity to build race rhythm after weeks away from competition, and to measure his level across consecutive days of climbing.
The coming stages will not define his Giro outright, but they will provide the clearest indication yet of how far he has progressed following a disrupted start to the year. For now, the key step has been taken: Bernal is back on the start line, and his 2026 campaign is finally underway again.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment