“I don’t really care" - Egan Bernal insists he's out to enjoy Giro d'Italia journey, not chase a particular result

Five years after conquering the Giro d’Italia and overcoming one of the toughest episodes of his career, Egan Bernal is back among the protagonists of the Corsa Rosa. The Colombian, who won the race in 2021 before the serious crash that even jeopardized his future in the sport, has started this edition with very positive signs and sits second overall thanks to time bonuses.

In a race many label as under the control of the overwhelming favourite, Jonas Vingegaard, Bernal prefers to stay calm and view the Giro from a very different angle to past years: ambitious, yes, but also with a renewed ability to enjoy it.

“I’m motivated. The Giro, we all know it’s a very beautiful race, especially when we talk about Grand Tours,” the Colombian leader told Marca, making it clear his bond with the Italian race remains special.

Beyond results, Bernal seems to have recovered something even more important - his form of old. “Thinking about it now, I feel I’ve got a bit more in the legs, so I can enjoy it a bit more. I’m in good condition,” he explained, conveying confidence in his form after a long rebuild.

Despite a strong start and his name returning to the shortlist for the places of honour, Bernal plays down the labels. Asked about his status among the favourites, he answered simply: “I don’t really care.”

His view of the Giro is shaped by experience. “In the end it’s not about how it starts, but how it finishes. It’s not about the favourites at the beginning, but how the general classification looks on the last day. They can tag you as a favourite and you’re not right, or the other way around,” he reflected.

Although his build-up wasn’t especially packed with race days, the Colombian insists he arrives with good sensations: “I haven’t raced much, and in the few races I did I felt good.”

Far from obsessing about returning to a Grand Tour podium, Bernal stresses that his priorities changed after the crash that reshaped his career and his outlook on cycling.

“I don’t want to think about the podium," Bernal said. "Just enjoy it, because one thing leads to another. I’m not ruling anything out. Since that happened, I just think about enjoying it and improving. Vingegaard is very strong here, but the race is just as open for everyone.”