Bernal returns in Burgos with eyes on Vuelta and Worlds: ‘It’s my dream’
Egan Bernal is back in the peloton this week as he lines up for the Vuelta a Burgos, his first race since the Giro d’Italia. The Colombian hasn’t competed in over two months, but returns with renewed motivation and two clear targets in mind: the Vuelta a España and the World Championships.

The Giro in May was a breakthrough in Bernal’s long road back. He finished seventh overall in Rome, after struggling through years of injury and recovery since his near-fatal crash in 2022. Since then, he’s spent time resting in Europe, training at home in Colombia, and building towards what he hopes will be a defining final phase of the 2025 season.
“I think the preparation has been great,” Bernal told AS ahead of Burgos. “After the Giro, I rested for ten days here in Europe, then I came back to Colombia and again started to build the base and the usual preparation for a Grand Tour. Firstly, many kilometres, and then, bit by bit, I started to get into a bit more intense rhythm. I think everything went well and I'm keen to return to racing.”
That return begins in Burgos, where the five-day race includes several punchy stages and a summit finish. When asked about his expectations for the week, he responded: “A bit of everything, depending on how I feel. Firstly, the aim is to get the rhythm for the Vuelta, race again, and see where we are. Obviously, I'd like to be in front to try and win the race, I think that's important. After a long time without competing, you don't know if you're going to be there or not. You arrive with a lot of enthusiasm, but at the same time, a lot of doubts. I think the main thing is to start with a good mindset and then accept whatever comes.”
The bigger goal, of course, lies just ahead. The Vuelta a España is the only Grand Tour Bernal hasn’t won, after claiming the Tour de France in 2019 and the Giro in 2021. Completing the set remains a major ambition - one that continues to fuel his motivation three years after the crash that nearly ended his career.
“It's my dream,” he said. “I believe I can dream about it. I've said it many times, I don't know if I'll achieve it or not, but the truth is I wake up every day thinking about being the best again, about being at the front. It's what I train for, that's why I keep cycling. If not, I think I would have retired by now.”
The Ineos Grenadiers rider will likely lead the team at the Vuelta, where he’ll face elite competition including Jonas Vingegaard, Juan Ayuso and João Almeida. Whether he can challenge for victory remains to be seen, but the drive is unmistakable.
“Of course, lots of people talk to me about the Vuelta, and that's how I see it as well,” he added. “It's the only race I'm missing, but people motivate me and tell me to try it. I think it's one of my motivations. I don't know if I'll ever achieve it, but at least as long as I keep cycling, I think it's going to be my dream.”
In addition to the Vuelta, Bernal confirmed he plans to ride the World Championships in Rwanda, his first appearance at Worlds as an elite rider. With a hilly, high-altitude course, the profile may play to his strengths. If all goes to plan, he hopes to follow it up with the Italian autumn classics.
“The idea is to go to Worlds and normally I would also do the Italian Classics. But firstly, I want to finish Burgos, then the Vuelta and then Worlds. At the moment I can't make too many plans about the future, but I want to get to Worlds and then I'll think about going to Lombardia, where I'd like to do well," he said to finish.
Egan Bernal continues to build. The big goals are still there, and so is the belief.