That was quite the opening stage at #TDF2023 @_rccarlos leads us home in 13th place, as part of a chase group behind stage winner Adam Yates. @Eganbernal and @tompidcock finish in a larger group, 21secs further back.
"I have felt good despite the nervousness of returning after almost two years" - Egan Bernal on Tour de France return
CyclingSunday, 02 July 2023 at 11:33
Egan Bernal has returned to the Tour de France for the first time since 2020 - where he abandoned with back issues - and his life-threatening crash. It hasn't been a too flashy return, but he has arrived in one of the chasing groups, surviving a tense day in the Basque hills.
"I lost air in the penultimate climb, but then I recovered. It has been a very intense day, I have felt good despite the nervousness of returning after almost two years," Bernal told after the stage. "We will see what happens from tomorrow, but I had good feelings."
INEOS have decided to protect their GC contenders on the opening day which saw a very fast pace all throughout, and then all-out attacks in the final climb to the Côte de Pike. Daniel Martínez has lost time and the chances to fight for a good result in the end of the race most likely, whilst Tom Pidcock did not have the legs to contest a strong result in the stage.
Bernal, unlike Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas who were unfortunate to crash out of the race, has stayed upright and avoided any big mishap. He has arrived in the middle of the second chasing group, 33 seconds back on Adam Yates and 21 behind the group of Pogacar and Vingegaard, which included Carlos Rodríguez who has set himself up to be INEOS' most likely leader.
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