Messages of support for Egan Bernal flood in from pro peloton and beyond
Froome, Pogacar, Evenepoel, and Colombian president among the well-wishers
As he lies in intensive care following a series of major surgeries, Egan Bernal has received well wishes from across the professional peloton and beyond.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider suffered multiple injuries when he crashed into the back of a bus while training with teammates in Colombia on Monday morning.
Soon after the crash there were reports of ‘minor injuries’ in the Colombian media, but it soon emerged that the former Tour de France and Giro d’Italia champion was facing something far more serious. It was confirmed that he had fractured his femur and kneecap, but the worst was still to come, as the Bogota hospital where he was treated detailed injuries to his spine and chest.
After undergoing orthopaedic surgery to fix his broken leg and kneecap, plus a collapsed lung, he was taken into theatre by neurosurgeons. According to the hospital, the procedure was a ‘success’, with Bernal apparently avoiding any permanent damage to his spinal cord at this point.
As Bernal faced surgery, a string of messages of support flooded in on social media. His teammates and fellow Colombian riders expressed their well wishes, but so did his rivals and other major figures in the sport.
The support extended beyond the cycling world, with footballer Radamel Falcao - one of Colombia’s biggest sport stars - chipping in. It also went beyond the sporting world, as Colombia’s president, Iván Duque, issued a message of hope that Bernal could recover and carry on ‘reaping triumphs for Colombia’.
Many of the messages on social media were accompanied by the hashtag #FuerzaEgan. Scroll down for a selection of the messages.
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Teammate and domestique Daniel Martínez posted this iconic shot of him roaring on Bernal during a moment of crisis at last year's Giro d'Italia. "Today more than ever I'm wishing you the best," Martínez wrote. "[Hope] you recover soon and you put on a show again, as you know how."
Una pronta y exitosa recuperación para @Eganbernal. Toda Colombia contigo en este doloroso momento. Protejamos y cuidemos a los ciclistas en todas las carreteras de Colombia. #FuerzaEgan.January 24, 2022
Falcao wrote: "[Wishing] a speedy and successful recovery for Egan Bernal. All of Colombia is with you at this painful moment. Let's protect and look after cyclists on all roads in Colombia."
A nuestro querido campeón, @Eganbernal, le deseamos una pronta recuperación tras el accidente que sufrió entrenando con sus compañeros de equipo. Confiamos en que evolucione satisfactoriamente su estado de salud y pueda seguir cosechando triunfos para Colombia. #FuerzaEganJanuary 24, 2022
The Colombian president wrote: "To our beloved champion, Egan Bernal, we wish you a speedy recovery after the accident you. suffered while training with teammates. We trust that your state of health will progress satisfactorily and that you can carry on reaping triumphs for Colombia."
Esperamos que vuelas pronto. Ahora estás en una carrera que vas a salir victorioso #fuerzaegan 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/7uLjznvhmAJanuary 24, 2022
Envío a mi colega @EganBernal un abrazo de fortaleza, soy consciente de lo que conlleva este tipo de situaciones, así mismo sé que siempre es posible levantarse y continuar con más fuerza. ¡Pronta recuperación!January 24, 2022
Nuestra profesión es de muchos riesgos, pronta recuperación @Eganbernal 🙏🙏🙏January 24, 2022
Mucho ánimo y pronta recuperación para un valiente y un campeón como @Eganbernal. Un fuerte abrazo desde España, te esperamos pronto en las carreras.January 24, 2022
Fellow Colombian rider Rigoberto Urán (EF-EasyPost) said that Bernal was in "a race that you're going to win", while Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) said he was "conscious of what this type of situation entails but I also know that it's always possible to pick yourself up and carry on with greater strength".
Miguel Ángel López (Astana-Qazakstan) noted that "our profession entails many risks" as he too wished Bernal a speedy recovery. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) sent "a strong hug from Spain" and hoped to see the "champion" back at the races soon.
As well as the messages from the Spanish speaking world, there were many from further afield.
My thoughts are with Egan and his family today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cbJ0YeJzfqJanuary 25, 2022
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Egan, I wish you all the strength and motivation for a speedy recovery, you will come back stronger Champ! 👊🏻❤️Egan, te deseo toda la fuerza y motivación para una pronta recuperación, volverás más fuerte campeón! 👊🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/mpKQLKR77BJanuary 25, 2022
I'm sending @Eganbernal my warmest wishes for a speedy recovery. Egan, I look forward to seeing you bounce back stronger than ever and sharing the road with you wherever we race!January 25, 2022
This guy’s a fighter. Thoughts with Egan, you’ll be back mate #capo pic.twitter.com/PeH9HEMetjJanuary 25, 2022
Es horrible leer de la caida de Egan. Todo equipo @INEOSGrenadiers y el deporte esperanzas noticias buenas. Otra recuerda de el peligrosos de los caminos. We are all hoping you are ok @Eganbernal. So scary to read this news. A sad reminder how dangerous our training can be.January 24, 2022
#FuerzaEgan Get well soon Champ! 😢 https://t.co/83Lxp6l4xaJanuary 25, 2022
We’re waiting 🤞 Heal well Amigo! pic.twitter.com/R1Wo0XlGPxJanuary 25, 2022
Life sometimes wants to test how strong you are. Get well soon @EganbernalJanuary 24, 2022
Get well soon @Eganbernal 🙏💪 https://t.co/XOs7dq7LeVJanuary 24, 2022
Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.