The Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior was a success for INEOS Grenadiers who tactically outplayed UAE Team Emirates - XRG and Team Visma | Lease a Bike. However, what could have been a perfect day for the British team got stained with the crash and injury of Egan Bernal. The Colombian has already commented on the situation.
"I was really happy to start racing again in Europe, especially with my new Colombian jersey and also starting with a victory from Kwiato. The way we raced was great and it was really nice to be part of a strong team. I was feeling really strong and obviously I’m sad to have crashed, but at the same time the way I felt during the race gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep working hard, the season (ahead) is very long," Bernal said in a press release - with words certainly guided to assure fans.
The Colombian did not tell details of the crash or address his fractured collarbone - or anything regarding a possible return date to the bike, racing, or if it changes anything in his calendar.
In the Spanish race, Bernal was making his debut as the double Colombian national champion, on what was also his first day of racing in Europe. He looked not only in fine form but also very motivated and looking just as strong as he did in the years before his 2022 crash. INEOS did go on to win the race, with his presence playing a role, but he fell close to the finish when chasing Isaac del Toro on a downhill.
The race footage showed him sliding through the gravel, and the crash had as a consequence a fractured collarbone. "I’ve felt very good in the three races that I have done, so I just have to keep working and I hope to be back soon."
Bernal will be forced to miss the Vuelta a Andalucia, and potentially also Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico which had been reportedly marked out as his main schedule for the first part of the spring. The British team should provide an update on his condition soon.
🗣️ | "I’m sad to have crashed, but at the same time the way I felt during the race gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep working hard."
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) February 17, 2025
Hear from @Eganbernal following his crash today at #ClasicaJaen. https://t.co/CeNMluVNT9 https://t.co/XvPh35UEuu