Talent of the century Bernal makes Colombia cheer

“There is Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, me and Miguel Indurain. But if you consider that Bernal is only 22 years old, he could go further than any of us,” enthused Hinault. It's not that far yet. Bernal still achieved something historic. The 60-kilogram lightweight was the first Colombian to win Tour of France . And in the long history of the Tour, no overall winner since 1935 has been younger than Bernal, who was exactly 22 years and 196 days old at the Tour finale.

“I can’t wait to bring the jersey to Colombia.” Egan Bernal after his tour triumph “Colombia has always had great riders, but we never won the Tour. I don't know why," said Bernal after clearing the last obstacle on his more than 3000 kilometer journey through France during the climb in Val Thorens on Saturday. “I am very proud of having achieved this. I can’t wait to bring the jersey to Colombia.” Lots of serious injuries More specifically to Zipaquira, where Bernal grew up not far from the capital Bogota at an altitude of 2650 meters. He also lives nearby with his fiancée Xiomy, whom he met when he was a junior on the national mountain bike team. “I love the adrenaline,” says the youngster, who is unfazed by serious falls. Egan Bernal with his fiancée Xiomy Guerrero. © APA/afp / MARTIN BUREAU

In March 2018, he suffered fractures to his shoulder blade and collarbone during the Tour of Catalonia, and five months later he suffered a slight cerebral hemorrhage and knocked out some teeth during the race in San Sebastian. Finally, his debut at the Giro d'Italia in May was canceled after he suffered a broken collarbone. But he always came back in record time.

Fate also had a positive influence on mountain bike trainer Pablo Mazuera. If the coach hadn't persuaded the cycling star to continue his career five years ago, cycling might have been denied a talent of the century. Bernal had already started studying journalism before Mazuera intervened. There is every reason to be happy: Egan Bernal is the youngest Tour winner since 1935. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

So Bernal kept pedaling, went to Italy to the second-rate Androni Giocattoli team at the age of 19, and then went on to Ineos. At Ineos they have been very impressed since his arrival. “He was born to drive fast. He has a great future ahead of him,” said dethroned champion and runner-up Geraint Thomas. Four-time winner Chris Froome in particular took Bernal as a role model within the team and learned English in just a few months. “I always watched him and learned a few things.”

He no longer has to learn much in cycling. Bernal is already a complete racing driver. He has already won the Paris-Nice and Tour de Suisse tours. This year should be just the beginning. “Once you win the Tour, you always want more. It's like a drug. “You think about the next race,” says Bernal, already talking like Merckx.

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Talent of the century Bernal makes Colombia cheer

Eddy Merckx is very enthusiastic, Bernard Hinault predicts a new era: It is already clear to the greatest in cycling that this little climber Egan Bernal will at some point join their elite circle at the Tour de France or even the five-star champions will overtake.

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