"I'm going to give everything for my country" - Egan Bernal ready to battle for world championship glory

Egan Bernal heads into the World Championships in Kigali as Colombia’s main hope, buoyed by his stage victory at the recent Vuelta a España. It is his first appearance at the Worlds, and the 27-year-old believes the demanding African course could finally give him the chance to fight for a medal. Despite his reputation as a Grand Tour specialist, Bernal arrives determined to test himself in a one-day race against the biggest names in cycling.

Speaking to Eurosport ahead of Sunday’s race, Bernal admitted just how much this debut means to him. "I feel good, happy, excited, eager to do well," he said, underlining both his optimism and ambition.

He also pointed out how unique the conditions in Kigali will be compared to the European races that dominate the calendar. "It is different, it will be a different World Championship, hard because of the altitude and the air, which is very heavy," Bernal explained.

Long considered a rider made for stage races, Bernal has never been a regular presence in the one-day scene. But he believes his tactical instincts could make him competitive against the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. "I like it, I'm excited, it's my first World Cup, one-day races are not that I'm bad at them, it's just that they've never caught my attention and now being here right now we're going to try to do well this World Cup, try to be as deep as I can and follow my instincts."

When asked if he viewed himself as a favorite, Bernal kept expectations in check while making clear his motivation. "I don't know if I am a favorite, I only know that I will try to do my best for my country," he said.

It is remarkable that a rider with Bernal’s palmarès has never before lined up at a World Championship. But unlike the flatter or less selective editions of the past, Kigali offers the kind of brutal climbing that could play to his strengths. For Colombia, and for Bernal himself, the timing may finally be right to chase a medal on cycling’s most prestigious one-day stage.