Bernal eyes altitude advantage in Rwanda for Worlds debut against favourite Pogacar

Fresh from claiming his first Grand Tour stage win since 2021 at the Vuelta a España, where he finished 17th overall, Bernal sees the historic first African World Championships as the perfect opportunity for his elite worlds debut.

"Well, it's going to be the first one in Africa, so it has something special. I'm really looking to go there and enjoy my first worlds, actually," Bernal told FloBikes ahead of the event.

Parallels have been drawn between this year's edition and the 1995 World Championships held in Duitama, Colombia, which featured a similarly challenging course where the elite men's road race was won by Spain's Abraham Olano. Bernal believes the Rwanda event could have a similar impact on cycling development across the African continent.

"Yes, I guess it's going to be super important for the future cyclists in Rwanda and in general the continent, so I just hope to have more people from around all countries in the peloton," he said.

When asked about his decision to make his World Championships debut now, Bernal pointed to the arduous course profile and altitude as key factors.

"Because it's going to be at altitude, I'm feeling good, and I'm really focusing on it. I mean, I think I can perform well. Also, it's at altitude, a lot of climbing so yeah, I just hope I can do something good with the altitude," Bernal explained.

The race will take place at approximately 1,500 metres above sea level, though Bernal remains cautious about how much impact this will have on the competition.

"Well, I don't know actually. You know, it's difficult to guess, it's all about guessing, but I don't know, we will see if that altitude is enough to make a difference with the people who live at sea level," he said.

While acknowledging Tadej Pogacar as the clear favourite, the Colombian refused to concede defeat before the race had begun.

"I mean, I don't know. Of course, he's the favourite, the number one, but from my side, I have to think in myself and try to wait and see how I can do my best. It's not about going there and thinking about second or third, I think there are a lot of riders that can actually do a good race," Bernal insisted.

The Colombian will be joined by compatriots Harold Tejada and Brandon Rivera Smith, as well as Walter Vargas, in a team he describes as both fun and ambitious.

"Well, we will be with Harold, a super good rider, and also Brandon, so it's going to be a fun team, and for sure we will enjoy and also, we really want to go there and do something cool, you know, not just go to go, but we want to actually do something good,” Bernal concluded.