"I'd like to do my best and fight with Thomas and Arensman" - Egan Bernal excited for opening Vuelta mountain stage

Egan Bernal was selected to race the Vuelta a Espana and it wasn't by chance. The signs given by him following the Tour de France must've been quite good for the Colombian to race a second consecutive Grand Tour in a lineup that was hotly contested, and today in Andorra he'll have the chance to test himself against the other top climbers.

“I want to feel very useful. I want to feel that I am contributing and making a difference in the team. I'd like to do my best and fight with Thomas and Arensman," Bernal told Marca. "I hope they can win or get on the podium in the race and participate in this event. This team has given me a lot and I would like to give them back some of what they have given me."

Bernal has had more setbacks in terms of injuries this year which have dealt a big blow to his first part of the season, however he recovered form and raced the Tour de France, initially aiming for a GC result, but then turning into a domestique for Carlos Rodríguez. “Race after race I feel a little better. But I have to keep my feet on the ground this season, do a good load of racing and training, make a very solid block to see how far my body can take me," he adds.

"You have to be aware of the reality I'm living, have a lot of patience and believe in the process. This is the key. The race I had to win, I've already won. I'm here for me, for my family and because I love this sport. What I do goes beyond winning or not."