Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) has performed down his possibilities of combating for the general of the Volta a Catalunya in his return to European racing this week.
The Colombian completed third general in his earlier participation in Catalunya in 2019, the identical yr he received the Tour de France.
However as he continues his comeback from early season damage within the Volta, his first occasion in Europe this season, Bernal advised reporters earlier this week that he was “a great distance off combating [for GC] this week” after abandoning January’s Vuelta a San Juan with a knee damage.
“I ended using altogether after Argentina, and I’ve solely been coaching for a few weeks,” Bernal advised Eurosport (opens in new tab).
“So not matter how a lot I’d wish to be, I’m not going to be going nice, I’ve to be lifelike.”
“The concept is to finish this race feeling higher than I began it, the season is lengthy, there are many different races to go for.”
Bernal completed thirty second on stage 1 after an incident-free first day within the race, the place he was considered one of a number of high names to lose 10 seconds in a late break up. However the important thing assessments will come within the mountains, beginning with Tuesday’s ascent to Valter.
Though he had been introduced by Coppi e Bartali race organisers as participating of their occasion this week, Bernal mentioned he had opted for a harder occasion just like the Volta as a result of he wished to start out at WorldTour degree for a greater gauge of his emotions and kind.
“I like this race, I’ve finished it twice so I do know it. Every week-long occasion is nice to get some racing below my belt and it’ll be good. So let’s see the way it goes.”
