Egan Bernal has introduced that he’ll be returning to the Tour de France this summer time, with the resurgent Colombian set to type a part of a robust Ineos Grenadiers choice alongside Carlos Rodríguez, Geraint Thomas, and Tom Pidcock.
The 27-year-old gained the Tour 4 years in the past however since 2022 has been working his method again to high type after an early season coaching accident.
Last yr he returned to Grand Tour racing on the Tour and Vuelta a España and this spring he is been in his greatest type because the crash, stringing collectively seven top-10 outcomes from eight races, together with podium spots at O Gran Camiño and the Volta a Catalunya.
Writing on Instagram, Bernal confirmed his Tour participation.
“With blessings, I end the primary a part of the season. Now in Colombia for just a few days to organize for a superb Tour de France,” Bernal wrote, with out confirming which races he’ll tackle within the build-up to the race.
Bernal’s schedule for the rest of the 2024 season had been unclear, although his collection of high outcomes throughout 34 days of racing this spring have clearly persuaded Ineos Grenadiers hierarchy that he can compete at a excessive stage as soon as once more this July.
His most up-to-date victory got here simply over three years in the past when he scored his second Grand Tour win on the Giro d’Italia.
A 3rd place on the Colombian National Championships highway race and second on the mountainous penultimate stage on the Volta a Catalunya – albeit 57 seconds behind Tadej Pogačar – rank as his greatest outcomes to date this yr. He additionally performed a key position in serving to Carlos Rodríguez to general victory on the current Tour de Romandie.
Ineos Grenadiers may also be bringing 2018 race winner Geraint Thomas to the Tour, with the Welshman this yr taking over the Giro-Tour double for the second time in his profession. His first try in 2017, nevertheless, noticed him crash out of each.
Carlos Rodríguez, who completed fifth general in Paris final July, can be right down to race for the British squad, whereas 2022 L’Alpe d’Huez stage winner Tom Pidcock can be heading to the Tour for the third time in his profession.
