Egan Bernal fractured his collarbone in a crash on the Clásica Jaén on Monday, bringing to an finish his promising early season.
The Ineos Grenadier rider’s harm additionally left a bitter style to an in any other case good day trip for the crew in Spain, which noticed them win the race by Michał Kwiatkowski.
Bernal deserted the race after a crash with 12km to go, when he was a part of a 10-rider chase group behind his teammate. It’s not recognized how lengthy he will probably be out of racing for, however it’s a pace bump in what had been an excellent begin to 2025.
“Following a radical evaluation on the hospital this night after his crash at Clásica Jaén, Egan has been recognized with a fractured clavicle,” Ineos Grenadiers wrote on social media. “He’ll stay beneath the skilled care of our medical crew, and a complete restoration plan will probably be carried out to assist his return to coaching and racing.”
After being launched from hospital, Bernal stated: “I used to be actually glad to start out racing once more in Europe, particularly with my new Colombian jersey and likewise beginning with a victory from Kwiato.
“The way in which we raced was nice and it was very nice to be a part of a robust crew. I used to be feeling actually sturdy and clearly I’m unhappy to have crashed, however on the identical time the best way I felt in the course of the race gave me a variety of confidence and motivation to maintain working onerous, the season (forward) could be very lengthy.
“I’ve felt superb within the three races that I’ve completed, so I simply need to preserve working and I hope to be again quickly.”
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The Colombian received each the time trial and the highway race at his Nationwide Championships earlier this month, hinting at greater issues to return. They have been his first victories since he nearly died in a crash in early 2022, which left him doubting his future within the sport.
Earlier than the life-changing incident, Bernal received the Tour de France in 2019 and the Giro d’Italia in 2021, though he did present hints of returning to his former self final 12 months, with seventh at Paris-Good, third on the Volta a Catalunya, tenth on the Tour de Romandie, and fourth on the Tour de Suisse.
He had additionally regarded in type at Jaén as a part of a robust Ineos efficiency which noticed three riders end within the high 10, chasing strikes and blocking the chase of Kwiatkowski’s breakaway.
The Pole’s victory was his crew’s first victory outdoors of Nationwide Championships since July 2024 on Monday – 226 days in the past.
