{"id":541889,"date":"2026-04-20T23:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T23:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/541889\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T23:38:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T23:38:18","slug":"i-always-aim-for-victory-egan-bernal-returns-to-racing-at-tour-of-the-alps-after-disrupted-2026-start-with-ineos-grenadiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/541889\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI always aim for victory\u201d \u2013 Egan Bernal returns to racing at Tour of the Alps after disrupted 2026 start with INEOS Grenadiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the opening stage, Bernal made clear that his focus is on rebuilding progressively after that early setback. \u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of training at altitude in Colombia, and I\u2019m curious to assess my condition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Colombian remained at home during his recovery period, prioritising training as he managed the knee issue that halted his early campaign. \u201cAfter the knee problem at the start of the season, I preferred to prepare at home and I\u2019ll try to improve progressively stage by stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

That approach underlines a more measured build, with the emphasis placed on consistency and continuity after a stop-start beginning to the year.<\/p>\n

A return with intent<\/p>\n

Despite that cautious tone, Bernal\u2019s ambition remains unchanged. \u201cWhen you pin on a number, you always aim for victory: I\u2019ll give my all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Tour of the Alps<\/a> provides an immediate test, with a demanding route that will quickly expose where each rider stands. Bernal pointed to the decisive moments that lie ahead while keeping his focus on a steady progression. \u201cVal Martello will be the toughest stage, but I have to think day by day, to try and do the best possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also marks a return to a race he has not contested in nearly a decade. \u201cIt\u2019s been nine years since I last rode the Tour of the Alps, but I have very good memories,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"INEOS<\/p>\n

INEOS Grenadiers at the pre-2026 Tour of the Alps press conference<\/p>\n

Giro d\u2019Italia picture begins to take shape<\/p>\n

With the Giro d\u2019Italia approaching, Bernal\u2019s return comes at a key moment in his season. The Tour of the Alps offers the first opportunity to build race rhythm after weeks away from competition, and to measure his level across consecutive days of climbing.<\/p>\n

The coming stages will not define his Giro outright, but they will provide the clearest indication yet of how far he has progressed following a disrupted start to the year. For now, the key step has been taken: Bernal is back on the start line, and his 2026 campaign is finally underway again.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Speaking ahead of the opening stage, Bernal made clear that his focus is on rebuilding progressively after…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":541890,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,60069,52999,101,110975,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-541889","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-cycling","9":"tag-egan-bernal","10":"tag-ineos-grenadiers","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-tour-of-the-alps","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/541890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}