Egan Arley Bernal Gómez rose to global prominence in 2019 by becoming the first Latin American rider to win the Tour de France. At 22 years and 196 days old, he secured the title as the youngest champion of the race since 1909, marking a historic achievement for his home nation of Colombia.
Early Career and Mountain Biking
Born in 1997 in Bogotá and raised in Zipaquirá, Bernal is the son of Germán and Flor. His introduction to cycling began on a second-hand bicycle at age five. By nine, he won a local race that provided him with a training scholarship. He initially concentrated on mountain biking, earning junior-level accolades including a silver medal in 2014 and a bronze in 2015 at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
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Bernal entered senior-level road racing in 2016 after signing with Androni Giocattoli–Sidermec. His debut was supported by a high VO2 max reading. During his tenure with the team, he gained experience in various European events, including the Tour of Bihor and the Tour de l'Avenir. By 2017, his results in races such as the Sibiu Cycling Tour attracted the attention of Team Sky, leading to a five-year contract starting in 2018.
Grand Tour Success
Upon joining Team Sky, Bernal secured victory in the 2019 Tour de France after taking the lead on stage 19 following an attack on the Col de l'Iseran. He subsequently achieved his second Grand Tour win at the 2021 Giro d'Italia. These performances cemented his status as a major competitor in professional cycling, earning him the Deportista del Año award in both 2019 and 2021.
Injury and Recovery
In 2022, Bernal was involved in a serious crash that interrupted his professional progression. He undertook a recovery process to return to competitive cycling and rejoined the racing circuit in 2023. Although he maintains his professional status with the team now known as Netcompany–Ineos, his performance levels have shifted since the 2022 incident.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 January 1997, Bogotá, Colombia
- Raised in: Zipaquirá, Colombia
- Professional debut team: Androni Giocattoli–Sidermec
- Tour de France victory: 2019
- Giro d'Italia victory: 2021
- Awards: Deportista del Año (2019, 2021)
- Current team: Netcompany–Ineos
Questions readers ask
What major cycling races has Egan Bernal won?
Bernal won the 2019 Tour de France and the 2021 Giro d'Italia.
Did Bernal start as a road cyclist?
No, he initially excelled in mountain biking before transitioning to professional road racing.
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