Bernal celebrates first victory after horror accident: "I thought about quitting several times"

Egan Bernal, who rides for Team INEOS Grenadiers, has claimed his first victory at the Colombian time trial championships in Bucaramanga since a serious accident in 2022. The 28-year-old professional cyclist put in an impressive performance over the 42.2-kilometre course and secured the title with a time of 50:51 minutes. This was seven seconds faster than Walter Vargas from Team Medellin-EPM and 29 seconds faster than his team-mate Brandon Rivera. Bernal's last victory to date dates back to 2021, when he won the Giro d'Italia.

Egan Bernal with strong performances as early as 2024

The road back to his former strength was anything but easy for Bernal. After an accident in January 2022, in which he collided with a stationary bus during training and suffered numerous fractures and spinal injuries, he had to fight his way back over the course of two years. During this time, Bernal thought about ending his career several times. However, his tireless efforts paid off when he finished on the podium at O Grand Camiño and the Tour of Catalonia last year. A fourth place in the overall standings of the Tour de Suisse also showed that Bernal is once again one of the best.

I thought about quitting several times, but one day I promised that if I won again, I would dedicate the first victory to God, who had given me a second chance in life. - Egan Bernal

Egan Bernal with an emotional Instagram post

After his victory, Bernal was very emotional: "1347 days and a lot has happened since my last victory, today I am National Time Trial Champion," he wrote on Instagram. "I thought about quitting several times, but one day I promised that if I won again, I would dedicate the first victory to God, who gave me a second chance in life."

>> Will Egan Bernal be back to his old self?

The victory at the national championships is not Bernal's first. The 2019 Tour de France winner last won the national time trial title in 2018, ahead of Daniel Felipe Martinez. His current success shows that he can be counted on again in 2025.