If the back pain that hampered his performance in the 2020 season subside, no one doubts that Egan Bernal is the big favorite for the next title Tour of Italy (May 8 to 30).
This is corroborated by authorized voices of the Pink Race, As the Italian cycling coach, Davide Cassani.
“It will be a Giro in which Filippo Ganna can win both time trials. The route is beautiful, with eight uphill finishes, a stage in the Dolomites with a downhill finish, dirt roads in the Montalcino stage and many other difficult days. It means that the classification can change in at least 14 stages. About the winner? I think Bernal is the man to beat if it’s 2019, Nibali will fight and I am waiting for other young runners as a new surprise”, said Cassani during the presentation of the route in Milan to Piazza Duomo.
Everything will depend on the good physical condition of Bernal, since the The mountainous route of this 104º Giro adapts perfectly to his legs. It also benefits him that the total fight against the clock is only 38.4 km.
Taking into account all these variables, it does not seem that veterans like Mikel Landa, Thibaut Pinot, Vincenzo Nibali or Romain Bardet, Among others, be in a position to beat the Ineos rider in the Corsa Rosa if he shows that great version that led him to conquer the Tour in 2019.
As if that were not enough, Bernal himself acknowledged last Wednesday that he has already recognized decisive sections of some stage: “I had wanted to prepare for the Giro for many years. I am delighted to participate. I already tried the Alpe di Mera stage, it will be very difficult. I’m looking forward to it because it will be a great Giro, I hope the fans will cheer on me and all the riders.”
After almost 5 months without competing, I am super excited to be able to start my season this Wednesday in France, it feels good to go back to racing, even if I am not at my best I will enjoy the race, help my team and give my best of me as always. 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/bKzCqvNnKj
— Egan Arley Bernal (@Eganbernal) February 1, 2021
Generational grief
However, given this theoretical superiority of Bernal, a team like Deceuninck-QuickStep, that last year he was a great animator of the race with the fabulous performance of Joao Almeida, will also have something to say.
And the Belgian side hope to achieve it with Remco Evenepoel, whose performance in a three-week round is yet to be discovered. His abilities on the bike are beyond doubt, but he continues in the final phase of his recovery due to the pelvic fracture suffered in the past Giro de Lombaría, last race in which he competed.
If he arrives in time to start in Turin and with the illusion that he wastes over his debut, he cannot be separated from the pools: “I have returned to training with the bicycle. My team and I hope to be ready to take part in the Giro 2021 after not racing last year due to the accident suffered in Lombardy. This year’s route seems beautiful and difficult, so it will be an interesting Spin.”
The board is ready, it only remains to be seen if its pieces will be.