Colombian Bernal … intelligence, humility and title

The Colombian # Egan_Bernal grew up on the highlands and in the French mountains in the most famous cycling title in the world, placing his country on the tortuous card of a sport that requires a lot of perseverance, endurance and patience.

The 22-year-old boy was born in Bogota and grew up in the 126,000-inhabitant town of Thebakira in a mountain valley 42 km north of the Colombian capital, 2,650 meters above sea level.

First Colombian to win the Grand Prix de France, and youngest cyclist to cross the finish line of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in 1909.

After the end of the 20th pre-final stage Saturday, which had theoretically won the title before the last semi-ceremonial stage Sunday, Bernal said the childish face with a shy smile "I still can not believe."

"Sometimes I do not have time to talk to my family, but I am very happy.I am proud to be Colombia.We deserve this cruise and for years I have not been able to talk to my family. I did not have time to talk to my family, "he said. We offer good runners. "

"I look forward to this shirt being sent back to Colombia."

In his childhood, Bernal learned the origins of cycling, particularly the rugged terrain, in the forests near his hometown, by his son Fabio Rodriguez, who had already participated in the Spanish cruise "Voileta".

In these forests, Bernal rubbed shoulders with adult workers and other generations of his generation, gaining power by cutting huge trees and carrying them on their shoulders in trucks, a sign of the difficulty of securing the cost of living in a city where the vast majority depend on agriculture and mining to save their income.

Saturday, Bernal gave his expected victory to "first managers" Pablo Mathuera Thambrano, who told Agence France-Presse that financial difficulties have almost led Bernal to abandon cycling, despite the successful performance of departure, such as II solutions of the World Cycling Championship The rugged tracks in Norway in 2014, the money next year in Andorra.

"He was coming from a low-income family who had started university," said Thambrano, who received a scholarship to specialize in the media.He wanted to go (by bike) because he was not in school. he wanted to become a journalist ".

The cyclist paid tribute to Thambrano on Saturday, which earned him to be kept in the sport. "At one point, I stopped cycling, my knees fleeing, and it's thanks to him that I'm riding a bike, he's the culprit."

Bernal began his career at Androni, looking for a cyclist capable of climbing the highlands. Two years later, Sky, known as Enios after its transfer from the English media network this year, took over for 250,000 euros and started defending its colors in 2018.

"He is a good person, he kept his modesty when he joined the team," said Italian Gianni Salvio, who joined him in Androni.

His name started prominently this year by winning the title of the Swiss troupe, without changing his position on the team, which includes the names of British clay Chris Fromm (crowned four times in France and absent this year at the following a strong incident), and Willy Georgette Thomas Tour de France. 2018.

"Girant will remain our captain and my job is to help him," Bernal said after his previous win.

Arifu Bernal sees that he has displayed wisdom and intelligence while keeping his humility.

"He showed all the intelligence that he had after his victory, and he quickly stated that he would work for Thomas' s neighbors on the Tour de France and that others would have said that he was going to work. they could win, but not him, "said Savio.

"The ENIUS team then realized they had two leaders in their ranks."

Colombian cyclists have visited the cruise platform in France several times (or other prestigious races such as the Spanish Vuelta and the Italian Giro). In the eighties, Fabio Parra finished third in France and Luis Herrera won the Fuletta title.

In recent years, Nairu Quintana has been crowned 2014 Giro and Voileta 2016 champions. Like Rigoberto Auran, he was crowned on the Tour de France, where Colombian cyclists also received the best alpinist jersey. But the first place remained elusive.

At the age of 22, Bernal put an end to the waiting and seems to be on a new trajectory to Ennos, who has completed six of the previous seven editions of the French Tour with two British riders having all crossed the twenty-eighth place. Bradley Wiggins (2012), De (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017) and Thomas (2018).

Paradoxically, Bernal was able to seize the yellow jersey only Friday, on the eve of the penultimate period, taking advantage of the cold to deprive Frenchman Julien Allepelep, wearer of the yellow jersey at most stages of the race. This year, to become the first Frenchman since 1985 to crown his country.

Colombian superiority came to the Alps, reflecting the ability of Colombians to compete in the mountains. "I think I have the advantage because I live at 2,600 meters above sea level." I do not know if winning the high-end cruise is a coincidence, but that's not the case. is obviously a preference for me, "said Bernal.