Colombian Egan Bernal came close to death two years ago and is back on top.
The Colombian, seriously injured a few years ago, is finally returning to the top of cycling unlike other riders who have never been able to return to such a level like a certain Christopher Froome for example. It was January 24, 2022, the Colombian crossed the town of Gachancipa, and hit a bus at nearly 60 km/h. He was quickly evacuated by emergency services in critical condition and had to undergo emergency surgery. “This accident should have killed me instantly. I’m alive and I feel like life and God gave me a second chance.” the Colombian now explains to Eurosport before the start of the Tour de France.
In total, the accident left him with eight broken ribs, a spinal dislocation fracture, fractures of the femur and kneecap, bilateral hemopneumothorax, and facial trauma. A very heavy toll that Gustavo Uriza, the doctor at the Sabana clinic, recalls: “When I saw the fracture, I immediately understood. I called the head of the emergency department to see if he could move his legs. He replied: ‘We haven’t looked, but I think with this fracture he should be paraplegic.‘”
“I had pain everywhere but I didn’t really know what it washe explained. At the hospital I went in screaming ‘Put me to sleep’ and they put me to sleep” explained the winner of the 2022 Tour de France who then had to stay almost two weeks in hospital, undergoing several operations.
After weeks in hospital, his priority was to get back on a bike at the highest level. He will quickly achieve this, competing in the Tour de France in 2023, finishing in 36th position before competing in the Vuelta a few weeks later. In 2024, although he has not yet given up, he has taken a series of places of honour, including a 2nd place on a stage of the Tour of Catalonia and a 3rd in the final general classification. For this 2024 Tour de France, he is advancing as one of the leaders of the Ineos team with Geraint Thomas and Carlos Rodriguez.
