Egan Bernal, a top cyclist who has won the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia was seriously injured in a crash in his native Colombia.
Bernal, 25, was on a training ride outside Bogotá at the time of the incident. He fractured a vertebrae, several ribs, a femur and a kneecap and punctured a lung. He was rushed into surgery at Clínica La Sabana and is recovering after the “successful” procedures, including a complex operation on his spine, which indicates he avoided permanent damage. However, he remains in an intensive care unit.
Bernal and his teammates were conducting high-altitude training when he slammed into a suddenly stopped bus at about 30 mph.
“Doctors were able to medically pin his right leg and stabilize the vertebrae fracture in two separate surgeries last night,” Team Ineos Grenadiers said. “He is now in an intensive care unit where other potential secondary injuries are being managed, as well as his body’s response to the trauma.”
“The team would like to thank the medical staff at Clinica Universidad de La Sabana and everyone who has sent messages of support to Egan. All of our focus is on ensuring Egan is given the best possible care as he starts on his road to recovery.”
Bernal won the 2019 Tour de France and after dealing with back issues on and off, and won the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, cyclists of all ages and skill levels are subjected to dangerous riding conditions in Colombia. In 2021, there were 471 cycling deaths in the South American country.
