Nairo Quintana has spoken about one of the major challenges facing Egan Bernal since the serious accident he suffered in January 2022. The former Colombian rider, who announced his retirement from professional cycling this season, discussed his compatriot’s current situation and the rumours that his career could come to an early end.
In an interview with Infobae, the Boyacá native said he had not spoken with Bernal about the possibility of retiring. He did, however, explain that the Netcompany INEOS rider is going through a difficult period, struggling to compete at the highest level again and reclaim the prominence he enjoyed before his accident.
Quintana also highlighted the psychological demands of having to settle for results that fall short of major goals when you are an athlete accustomed to winning. It is a particularly difficult situation for two riders who reached the summit of world cycling and know first-hand what it means to compete for the biggest victories.
“Simply being able to ride a bike and compete is a huge achievement, but clearly, we are made to win, and we like winning,” Nairo explained in comments reported by Diario As Colombia, capturing the feelings of a champion still seeking to rediscover his best form.
Nairo Quintana, a star of world cycling
The challenge of winning again
Since his crash in Gachancipá, where he collided with a bus while training, Bernal has had to rebuild his career almost from scratch. His recovery brought him back to the peloton, but his results remain a long way from those he achieved before the accident. Since then, his biggest international victory has been a stage at the 2025 Vuelta a España.
The Colombian has, however, regained a degree of consistency and claimed national titles. He won the Colombian road race championship in consecutive seasons and also took the time trial title in 2025. He finished third at the 2024 Volta a Catalunya and achieved his best Grand Tour result since the accident with seventh place at the 2025 Giro d’Italia.
The second half of 2026 nevertheless raised fresh doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level. After the Tour de France, Bernal no longer felt competitive and decided to end his season earlier than planned. The team considered it the right decision to support his recovery and prepare for the next season.
Netcompany INEOS sports director Dario Cioni confirmed that the Colombian remains part of the team’s plans for 2027. “He’ll be back as normal,” he said. For now, the focus is on regaining his form and rebuilding the confidence needed to fight for major results.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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- He hasn't even checked it! That says a lot about his confidence...Lukicinho31-10-2026
- Only beat Pogi because he’d been looking after IdT all stage. Without that Pogi would have won the stage and put another 2 mins into Remco, same on Stage 20!Lozza31-10-2026
- You wrote “withdrawing from Tour de France nomination after the Belgian struggled to keep up in preparation race.” He actually won a stage at the “Dauphine”, then DNF’d because of a bad infection in his elbow requiring surgery. That’s what kept him out of TdF.Lozza31-10-2026
- Remcos got a real chance here, he was close last year cept came good too late, dont forget he beat Del Toto & Pog
leedorney31-10-2026 - Pogi too!Lozza31-10-2026
- Go Pogi! ❤️Lozza31-10-2026
- If the Giro has too many mountains, then it is better for him to do the TDF. He can explain away losing to Pogi but it be difficult to explain a loss to some other climberabstractengineer31-10-2026
- Del Toro inconsistent compared to Pogi maybe (who isn’t!?) but 3rd on TdF podium is hardly struggling! (He had some sickness there too). I hope he goes back to the Giro next season for his own GC chance (unfinished business) then maybe the Vuelta to help Pogi.Lozza31-10-2026
- Del toro podium GC TDF as helper not captain says it all how superior everyone are to UAE they made fun of everyone before the got sick..literally. Mcnulty winning 30km solo WC!! when pogacar is not there another example its just ridiclous how many levels above the rest they are. Like pogacar doms dominate in his absence over other teams best captains...like what are everyone else suppose to do then genuinly, insane. Just the truth. Next year wont slow down as they were incredible unlucky throught the year with injuries on everyone and big guys(wellen, narvaez,vine, almeida, del toro, Pogi, Soler, non stop.) and still they did this.. Good thing is that rbh and lidl have alot of money and even tho noone can stop UAE cause they are literally unbeatable and frankly the best structured team ive ever seen in my life watching cycling.. (when they develeop riders like pog into best rider ever and del toro overall in world today top 3 already..) but i do think rbh and lidl will make life harder for them in coming years atleast even if they cant stop em. So good times.miguel31-10-2026
- unprecedented really and considering the injuries throughout the year on major riders nonstop from januar to end of year its insane. Honestly just the best team ive ever witnessed in cycling easily, and their longevity already remarkable....hopefully rbh and lidl with money now i think they can atleast make it harder for themmiguel31-10-2026
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