'Nobody gives anything away for free' - Bernal targets Giro return in 2026

Egan Bernal hopes to return to the Giro d’Italia in 2026, but the Colombian champion acknowledged that his race programme for the new season has not yet been set in stone.

Reports in Colombian media in recent days had suggested that Bernal would mirror last year’s Grand Tour schedule by riding the Giro and Vuelta a España once again in 2026.

It is widely expected that new arrival Oscar Onley will lead Ineos at the Tour de France, but it remains to be seen how the team deploys Bernal, Carlos Rodrìguez and Thymen Arensman across the calendar.

“In principle, I’d like to do the Giro d’Italia, but like everything else, in the end, you have to take it race by race, day by day,” Bernal told RCN. “Anything can happen. They’ll bring the strongest riders to the Giro d’Italia, so first you have to earn that spot. Nobody gives anything away for free.”

Bernal placed seventh overall at last year’s Giro and then won a stage of the Vuelta in Mos, which was his first WorldTour victory since he secured the overall title at the 2021 Giro. Bernal’s career was interrupted by a life-threatening training crash in January 2022, and last year’s Giro marked his return to the front group in the mountains on a Grand Tour. 

The 29-year-old will aim to build on that platform in 2026. It has been reported – though not yet confirmed – that his first outing on European roads this season will come at the Volta ao Algarve.

“You have to keep your feet on the ground and work very hard,” Bernal said of his 2026 programme. “In this moment, my mind is on the Nationals, then I’ll go to Europe to race. The team has a lot of plans, but you know how it is – you have to go day by day.”

Bernal was speaking at a press conference to launch the 2026 Colombian Championships, which will take place in his hometown of Zipaquirá. The 2019 Tour de Frace winner last raced in the city on the 2024 Tour Colombia, when Mark Cavendish took the spoils in a bunch sprint, but the circuit here is designed for climbers.

“The race will be very demanding, with the Concepción climb, which is very tough,” Bernal said.  “The fans are going to like it, they are going to see us suffer and pass slowly. It’s almost quicker to climb on foot. It’s a route designed for a very complete, explosive cyclist who climbs very well.”

Bernal was a double national champion in 2025, and he will defend his time trial and road titles on February 5 and 8, respectively.