His podium at Gran Camiño gave him motivation, but Paris-Nice was a slight hit to Egan Bernal's motivation as he was far from the best. However the INEOS Grenadiers rider managed to hit back once again and perhaps performed at his best level today at the Volta a Catalunya since his crash in early 2022.
“This is another step forward. However, I have to keep my feet on the ground because there is still a lot of work to do. But I have to be happy and proud after this achievement," Bernal said in a post-race interview. The Colombian held on to the GC group on the brutal Coll du Pradell and then when the race blew up on the Collada de Sant Isidre he was ready for action. He attacked from the chasing group near the summit and joined up with Mikel Landa on the descent.
“I didn't expect this. I knew that Tadej Pogacar was going to be at too high a level again, so I didn't try to follow him. I have managed my efforts well. I felt good and was able to join Mikel Landa again," the 27-year old continued. "After that we worked well together. I should thank him because he really helped me.”
The duo collaborated perfectly and arrived at the finish both having accomplished their goals. Bernal, who had been consistent throughout the week and was ninth in the GC at the start of the day, climbed all the way to third with a masterful performance; continuing the high pace in the final ascent to Queralt without cracking. The pace saw him climb onto the podium where he is likely to stay during tomorrow's stage into Barcelona. This would be his best performance since the life-threatening crash in Colombia on January 2022 and is a great sign ahead of his Grand Tour campaign.
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