Egan Bernal: 'I'm not afraid to lose the Giro d'Italia, Sky will keep paying me the same'
The Colombian says he is not feeling the pressure ahead of leading Team Sky at the 2019 Giro

Egan Bernal at the 2019 Tour Colombia (Photo by Maximiliano Blanco/Getty Images)

Twenty-two-year-old Egan Bernal will lead Team Sky at the Giro d'Italia this May, but says he feels no pressure because the team will pay him regardless of his result.
Bernal signed with Team Sky for 2018 and won the Tour of California before making his Grand Tour debut helping Geraint Thomas win the Tour de France. Now, the British super-team are giving the Colombian leadership responsibilities for the Italian Grand Tour, which runs from May 11 to June 2.
>>> Chris Froome pulls out of UAE Tour
"Pressure, pressure... Everyone talks about it, journalists always ask about it. What does one gain from pressure? Absolutely nothing," Bernal told Marca.
"Some people bring it on because they make a bad comment to the press like, 'I'm going to win the Tour de France.' I want to do well in the Giro d'Italia, but they'll continue paying me the same."
He is due to lead the team with Italian Gianni Moscon. Some recent reports suggested Geraint Thomas could also race the Giro, but the team and the Welshman himself have said otherwise.
It would be Bernal's second Grand Tour, but some say big things are already possible. Chris Froome, the 2018 Giro winner, said in the last weeks that he expects Bernal to fight for the top places and the leader's pink jersey.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I'm happy because the team gave me the opportunity to race it," continued Bernal. "I'll be calm. The pressure would come if I say that I'm going to win it, but I'll get the best out of myself.
"I don't know if my best is winning the Giro, placing 10th, 15th or cracking. I'm just going to head there quietly, get the work done and that's it. If I don't get a result in the Giro, nothing happens. There's no fear of losing, you always want to win, but if you don't win, nothing happens.
"I'm still a good cyclist. If I don't win at 22, it does not mean that I'm never going to be able to win it or I'm going to stop being a good cyclist."
Bernal won the Tour Colombia in 2018 to start his season. Last week, with the help of Froome, he placed fourth overall in the race and kicked off his 2019 campaign. He reflected on his personal life and the importance of his job.
"The Europeans come here and say that we might feel 'at ease' racing on our home roads. It's another environment for us," he said.
"I think about my family and I am the head of my house... And so it is not a game. It was never a game for me.
"Obviously, I like to ride a bicycle, I like to train, everything... But it was never a game. I race and in my home, they are depending on what I do."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
This might be the best smartwatch deal I have ever seen: the Garmin Epix 2 now has a massive 53% off in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Deals The Garmin Epix 2 is now at its lowest-ever price with a massive $480 off
By Paul Brett Published
-
How to watch E3 Saxo Classic 2025: Everything you need to live stream the mini Tour of Flanders
All the information on broadcasters and live streams for E3 Saxo Classic on 28 March, as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert take on 'mini Tour of Flanders'.
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It is time to change goals' - Egan Bernal's coach confirms Ineos Grenadiers exit
'I want to thank all the cyclists I have had the opportunity to coach over the past ten years' Xabier Artetxe says in LinkedIn post
By Tom Thewlis Published