"To win the overall is very important to me" - Egan Bernal growing in confidence as he looks to challenge Tadej Pogacar at Volta a Catalunya

After a more than decent performance in Paris-Nice finishing in the top 10 overall despite suffering a crash, Egan Bernal is looking forward to the Volta a Catalunya 2024.

"Happy to be here in this race, after Paris-Nice it's going to be a very strong block but I hope to be with those at the front," Bernal says in his pre-stage 1 interview. "I'm very excited about the confidence that the team gives me in the races, here to win the overall is very important to me. It's a race that I've always liked, it suits me very well."

Bernal believes he can do well in the race, although the INEOS Grenadiers man is aware that the presence of Tadej Pogacar makes the Slovenian a clear favourite to take the overall victory.

"There are climbs that are a bit longer, they are explosive, but not as explosive as Paris-Nice, we will see how we can manage the race. UAE with Pogacar here are one point ahead, but we come with illusion to do our best and move our cards when we see the opportunities."