Watch: Egan Bernal involved in high-speed crash at Colombian National Championships
The Ineos rider still managed to finish second despite his fall
Egan Bernal was involved in a high-speed crash during the Colombian National Road Race Championships yet still managed to finish second despite the fall.
The Ineos rider was part of a second group on the road, following what looked like a split in the peloton, and came off his bike as he descended around a fast bend.
The video (the second replied video below) shows Bernal hitting the deck and sliding a considerable way down the road, eventually coming to a stop as he hits the kerb and fans rush over to help.
Another video shows the 23-year-old slowly getting back to his feet, with fans on the roadside fanning him. He wonders through the throng without his bike, turning back as someone tries to hand it to him before going over to his support car to pick another one up.
Soon after the incident, Ineos tweeted saying their rider had got himself back in the peloton with the help of team-mates and had "lost some skin". A later update on their website said he had "sustained numerous cuts" but no other information on his condition was provided, which gives the impression that his injuries are not too serious.
After rejoining the peloton, Bernal was in good enough shape to follow the attack of his team-mate Ivan Sosa.
However, Sosa then went clear with EF Pro Cycling's Sergio Higuita, with Sosa then crashing himself with 18km to go, effectively handing victory to Higuita.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Bernal then rolled across the line in second place, 1-15 down, with Higuita's EF team-mate Dani Martínez coming in third two seconds later.
A few days earlier it was Martínez on the top step of the podium, as he beat Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) and Bernal to the Colombian time trial title.
Quintana finished 28 seconds behind Martínez, while Bernal crossed the line four seconds later.
In 2020, Egan Bernal is set to make defending his Tour de France title the sole focus of his season. The 23-year-old finished a minute ahead of then-reigning champion and team-mate Geraint Thomas.
However, team manager Dave Brailsford has hinted the duo will once again have to duke it out on the road for team leadership at the French Grand Tour.
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
Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
See safely and be seen friendly with RAVEMEN PR2000 headlight
With its wireless remote control and versatile design, this Ravemen front light will keep you running on the darkest nights
By Sam Gupta Published
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Egan Bernal's best result since crash opens door to Tour de France selection: 'We need him competitive for us in the biggest races'
The Colombian revealed that some of his power numbers are better than before his crash in January 2022
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Did Egan Bernal accidentally leak the 2024 Ineos Grenadiers kit? Ineos and Bioracer part ways
Colombian 2019 Tour de France champion posted an image of a new jersey online before quickly deleting it
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Egan Bernal heads back to Tour de France 'ambitious' but 'realistic'
The 2019 winner is targeting general classification at his first Tour since life-threatening accident
By Adam Becket Published
-
100 days until the Tour de France: How the contenders are shaping up
How are the leading GC riders looking a century away from the biggest bike race of them all?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Egan Bernal to return to racing in late-March
Rod Ellingworth confirms Colombian to return to action in coming weeks, Tour de France place not guaranteed
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket Published