“Wild things happen at the Giro” - Egan Bernal warns of decisive week for general classification

Egan Bernal approaches the third week of the Giro d’Italia with the calm of having reset after the rest day, but fully focused on a finale that should decide both the overall and the mountain stages.

The INEOS Grenadiers rider told Cycling Pro Net the pause came at the right time to rebuild after the accumulated effort. “I think good. We rested yesterday, so today we’re a bit more recharged,” he said of his condition before the final days of the Corsa Rosa.

With the Giro entering its most demanding phase, Bernal does not expect a controlled scenario. On the contrary, he foresees an unpredictable week where any move could flip the race. “As always, this week at the Giro is very hard. Everything can change completely. We all know that in the Giro, in these last days, really crazy things happen,” warned the former winner, aware of the room for surprises.

In that context, the Colombian makes it clear that his role is set within the team. Far from personal ambitions, his priority is supporting his leader in the general classification battle. “We need to keep our feet on the ground and do our best to bring Tadej into the best position possible,” he said, underlining INEOS’s collective approach.

Bernal is even more blunt when asked about his own chances. “No, no, honestly no. I think I have to help Tadej, and I want to do it,” he stated, leaving his domestique role clear at this point in the race. Even so, he does not rule out a personal reward if the circumstances align: “If a personal result comes, then great. I think it would be cool.”

Beyond team tactics, the Colombian also weighs up one of the route’s key points, a climb he knows from the past that could shape the stage.

“I remember it was really fast, to be honest, and sitting on wheels made a big difference. If you were exposed to the wind you really felt it, so managing it well will be important,” he explained of the factors likely to influence the final selection.

With that outlook, Bernal faces a week in which the Giro d’Italia will be decided largely by energy management, team strategy, and the ability to adapt to a race that, as he sums up, rarely follows a predictable script.