Cyclingflash
Egan Bernal returns to Strade Bianche five years after podium finish

Egan Bernal returns to Strade Bianche five years after podium finish

Egan Bernal stood on the podium at Strade Bianche in 2021 but has not been seen in the Italian classic since. That changes this year, as INEOS Grenadiers is fielding the Colombian champion as team leader in the race over unpaved roads on Saturday.

It is former rider and team director Leonardo Basso who, in an interview with BICI.Pro, sheds some light on Strade Bianche. Bernal will be the spearhead for INEOS Grenadiers this coming weekend. "Egan already stood on the podium in 2021 and played an important role last season in the gravel stage of the Giro d'Italia. We count on his class."

Bernal started at Strade Bianche only once but immediately played a key role in the finale. He was out front alongside Mathieu van der Poel and then-world champion Julian Alaphilippe. The Tour and Giro winner had to clearly acknowledge the superiority of the two classics specialists in the final steep kilometer in Siena but still finished a strong third.

Bernal began his cycling season at home with the Colombian national championships. In the time trial, he had to surrender his title to teammate Brandon Rivera, but he succeeded himself in the road race. So far, Bernal has only raced once on European soil: last Saturday he finished seventh in the Faun Ardèche Classic, won by Paul Sexias.

Support from Arensman
INEOS Grenadiers has yet to announce its final lineup for Strade Bianche, but it is certain Bernal can count on support from Thymen Arensman. "The team asked if I wanted to do Strade Bianche, even though it is risky in preparation for the Giro. But it’s fun, right, gravel?" the Dutchman told WielerFlits during the Volta ao Algarve.

"I think I’d really like to do it. I also want to take revenge for what happened last year in the Giro." Arensman is referring to the bad luck he experienced on the gravel stage to Siena, ultimately won by Wout van Aert. He rode very strongly and, despite mechanical trouble, still managed to finish eighth in that Strade stage. "I really enjoy it, so I’m going to try to go," he announced.