Egan Bernal says his next dream is to win the Tour of Spain to complete the triple crown

(Reuters) – Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal said on Saturday that his next dream is to win the Vuelta a España to achieve the triple crown, although he acknowledged that it will be a difficult goal to achieve this year.

Bernal, 24, was crowned Giro d’Italia champion at the end of May, his second victory in one of the three Grand Tours, after winning the Tour de France in 2019.

«At this moment my dream would be one day to win the Tour of Spain, that way I could win the big three, complete the triple crown. I already did the Tour, I already did the Giro and obviously it is very ambitious on my part, “said the athlete during a tribute in Zipaquirá, his hometown in central Colombia.

«I feel bad saying it because a cyclist knows how difficult that is. But I say why not dream it? I do not think it will be this year, but I am 24 years old and maybe one day I will win the Tour of Spain and be able to complete the triple crown. I think it would be a dream come true, “he added.

The British Chris Froome, the Italian Vincenzo Nibali and the Spanish Alberto Contador are among the cyclists who have managed to win the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España and the Giro d’Italia throughout their professional careers.

The Colombian, whose 2020 season was hampered by back problems after winning the Tour de France, announced that he will begin his preparation to participate in the next Tour of Spain.

“I don’t know if I will be able to be at the level that is needed to win a great lap, but I will be there,” said the Ineos-Grenadiers team rider.

The athlete returned to Colombia on Friday after recovering from covid-19 and this week he visited Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Bernal received a tribute in the Salt Cathedral, an enclosure built inside the salt mines of Zipaquirá, 180 meters underground, with an architecture carved entirely in sodium chloride.

Credit: JUAN BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images

The rider admitted that recovering from the back problems that prevented him from performing well in 2020 was a long and painful process that he managed to overcome.

“I will continue to give my best and I hope to share many more moments of happiness with all of you,” he concluded to the applause and ovation of the attendees.