“I don’t really care" - Egan Bernal insists he's out to enjoy Giro d'Italia journey, not chase a particular result
Cycling
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.”
Egan Bernal at the 2026 Giro d'Italia
Bernal’s relies on experience to 'enjoy' Giro
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.”
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Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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