Last year, Bernal ended up being the very first Colombian to win the Tour, and the youngest champ of the post-World War II period. His team stated Bernal will try to recuperate as quickly as possible and redefine his objectives for the remainder of the season.
” We have taken this decision with Egans best interests at heart,” Ineos manager Dave Brailsford said. “Egan is a real champ who enjoys to race, but he is also a young rider, with numerous Tours ahead of him.”
Bernals withdrawal marked completion of Ineos supremacy at bikings greatest occasion. The effective duration started in 2012 with Bradley Wiggins victory, when the team was called Team Sky. The squad won seven of the last 8 editions with 4 various riders, but its best-placed rider this year is Richard Carapaz, who stood 14th ahead of Wednesdays Stage 17.
Arguably the hardest, the trek features the Col de La Madeleine and the Col de La Loze, the Tours highest point this year at 2,304 meters. The traffic-free pass in between the ski resorts of Meribel and Courchevel was opened to cyclists this year after a forest track was paved by local authorities. The last six kilometers of the climb are particularly challenging, with really sharp turns and high areas.
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Bernals withdrawal marked the end of Ineos supremacy at bikings biggest occasion. The squad won seven of the last 8 editions with four different riders, however its best-placed rider this year is Richard Carapaz, who stood 14th ahead of Wednesdays Stage 17.
Probably the most difficult, the trek features the Col de La Madeleine and the Col de La Loze, the Tours highest point this year at 2,304 meters.
GRENOBLE, France (AP)– Defending Tour de France champion Egan Bernal has actually pulled out of the race ahead of a mammoth phase in the Alps, his Ineos Grenadiers team said Wednesday.
Bernal had been having a hard time since last weekends stage in the Jura mountains, where he dropped more than 7 minutes on the main contenders and slipped out of contention. Hampered by pain in the back, the 23-year-old rider lost more time during Tuesdays very first Alpine phase.
Bernal remained in 16th location in general, 19 minutes and fours seconds behind race leader Primoz Roglic.
” This is clearly not how I wanted my Tour de France to end, but I agree that it is the ideal choice for me in the circumstances,” Bernal stated. “I have the biggest regard for this race and Im already looking forward to coming back in the years ahead.”
