The countdown to the 2026 Giro d’Italia is well underway, with the first Grand Tour of the season set to begin on May 8 and run through to the 31st. As always, the race is expected to bring together the biggest names in the peloton, including former winner Egan Bernal.
The Colombian, who claimed victory in 2021, was expected to play a leading role once again. However, his preparation has been disrupted by an unexpected administrative issue that is now raising concerns at a crucial moment in his build-up.
This year’s route features a demanding mix of high mountains, time trials and medium mountain stages. It is a parcours that traditionally creates decisive gaps in the general classification and requires riders to arrive in peak condition.
Bernal had planned to travel to Europe on April 12 to begin his final preparations, but he remains in Bogotá due to problems renewing his passport. A failure in the Colombian Foreign Ministry’s system has delayed the process, preventing him from travelling for the time being.
The INEOS Grenadiers rider, who had recently moved past earlier physical setbacks and was targeting a return to Grand Tour contention, has also admitted that he left the renewal process until the last moment. That decision is now affecting his schedule at a key point in the season.
Doubts grow over Giro d’Italia participation
Reports from Colombian media suggest the situation could impact his presence at the Giro. The possibility of him missing the race has gained traction in recent hours, although there has been no official confirmation.
Time is now working against the 2019 Tour de France winner as he looks to resolve the issue and avoid a major disruption to his campaign.
Bernal has not raced since February 28, when he finished seventh at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, his only European appearance of the season so far. Earlier in the year, he competed at the Colombian National Championships, placing fifth in the time trial before taking a commanding victory in the road race in Zipaquirá ahead of Ivan Ramiro Sosa.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- dude, Lemond never even was in the same race as Armstrong. He throws all these aspersions on other American riders who might usurp his throne as the greatest ever American racer. He doesn't say a single thing about (foreign) dopers who he actually raced against. Biggest douchebag move ever. I used to revere that guy, now I despise him. His actions are so weird.fatsupermodel02-11-2026
- This is just stupid, You do what you are good at not what you are weak at. He has no results to speak of when he participated. Even Froome, Conatdor had very little. With Pogi there he wont win none of the classics. he is already 30+ with a few years left at the top. It takes years to get good at classics. Is that really worth the effort???abstractengineer02-11-2026
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
- You'll be the ongoing joke of 2027 with anything you post here!frieders302-11-2026
- Awwww your inside information must be from PogiFanGirl. You two daughters of different mothers?frieders302-11-2026
- Hey PogIFanGirl...wipe that cream from your lips! You're ever loving drooling and whatever you have for Tadej has your brain fried!frieders302-11-2026
- Why should he 'let it go' ! Because you said so? Anytime LA Doper is called out is a win win !frieders302-11-2026
- Geez LeMond...let it go. You're a has been, albeit a former great one. But this is all water under the bridge and just undermines your legacy further.Mshark01-11-2026
- 'The Slovenian has collected four Tour de France titles' ... '[Kieran Wood's] ... reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis'. i would say that is pretty inaccurate accurate coverage, kieran wood ... too bad that AI's knowledge often lags several months behind ... but proof reading is certainly part of accurate coverage, isn't it? but fortunately does Kieran Wood place 'strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.' i would say the fifth tdf title is pretty new (and even verified) information, so feel free to update this article.Ketterechts01-11-2026
- You are wrong, they are already working on his new tt position. And yes, Trump does love you 😂👍🏼awp01-11-2026
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