Star Colombian racer Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) has warned against an excessive hike in expectations after taking a dramatic solo win for the second year running in the Colombian National Championships.
Able to triumph on a ultra-tough course with thirteen ascents of the Alto de la Concepcíon, a climb with segments of up to 20%, Bernal’s 2026 victory carried considerable extra resonance as it was raced on a circuit in his home town of Zipaquirá.
Although he did not win by the kind of jaw-dropping margin of over two minutes that he enjoyed when winning the same race in 2025, reaching the line alone again, seven seconds ahead of Iván Sosa (Equipo Kern Pharma), and cheered on by thousands of local supporters made for a memorable triumph in anyone’s book.
“Winning is winning. But there are no gifts, there is no such thing as a preparation race anymore and everybody is going flat out,” Bernal told Deportes RCN.
“For the moment, everything is going well. I keep working with my feet on the ground, because to win in Europe, you’ll be up against a Primož Roglič or a Remco [Evenepoel] or a [Tadej] Pogačar or a [João] Almeida or a [Jonas] Vingegaard – there are so many really strong riders.
“But I’m still working and believing in myself and I’m trying to get to the best level I can.”
“I thought Iván was maybe going to beat me, but sprint battles after six hours of…
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