Coming out of a Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the first he played in his career, where he showed himself at a very high level, Egan Bernal confirms that he has really begun his comeback since his serious fall. two years ago. To the point of being able to create a surprise next July on the roads of the Tour de France? This can no longer be ruled out…
Egan Bernal competed in his first Liège-Bastogne-Liège last Sunday, and the least we can say is that the Colombian rider from Ineos Grenadiersshowed himself at the level, impressing most observers and finishing in the group of leaders who were vying for third place behind the untouchable Pogacar and an excellent Romain Bardetset off strongly on the Roche aux Faucons coast about twenty kilometers from the finish.
Cycling: Things are moving for the transfer of Alaphilippe! https://t.co/EvGJIJfSDh pic.twitter.com/jVMEu13Ji8
— le10sport (@le10sport) April 22, 2024
Bernal’s performance in Liège did not go unnoticed…
At the end of the race, Bernal preferred to remain measured, in comments reported by cyclismactu.net : « I think the accident changed the race a little. Tom (Pidcock) had to wait and change bikes, we tried to do our best, but that will be for next year. I can not wait to return. I had very good legs today, I tried several times, I had legs but not enough to make a difference “. However, the performance of Bernal did not miss the radar screens of the big teams in the peloton. Because three months before the start of the Tour de France, they provide a telling clue about the form of the Colombian climber, who appears closer and closer to returning to his top level two years after his serious accident, the level which allowed him to win the Tour de France 2019. Obviously, with this type of performance, Bernal becomes a possible contender for the yellow jersey again next summer.
“If we look at the numbers, I’m better than before”
Bernal will he then be able to dominate the duo Pogacar-Roglic in July ? The Colombian climber prefers to remain cautious, as he said in an interview with Cycling flashas reported by globalcyclingnetwork.com : « I think if you look at the numbers, I’m even better (than before the crash), it’s just that the others are even better. I will now race in Romandie, and then I will prepare for the Dauphiné and, hopefully, the Tour de France “. The Colombian will be able to count on the support of his training Ineos-Grenadierslike the words of his English teammate Tom Pidcock after Liège, reported by globalcyclingnetwork.com : « I told him how happy I was to see him perform like that again ». Tadej Pogacar et Primoz Roglic will definitely be monitoring this closely in the coming weeks.
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