Egan Bernal is set to undergo surgery after a training ride crash, with numerous sources now stating he has suffered a fracture to his femur and kneecap as well as a litany of other injuries.
The news, if confirmed by the team, is a huge blow to both Bernal and the team and would mean he faces a long period on the sidelines involving months of recovery, rehab and a return to training.
Bernal was set to ride the Tour de France this year after something of a return to success in 2021 following his struggles with a back injury. He has also just signed a new contract which will keep him at the British team until 2026.
Clínica Universidad de La Sabana said the Giro d'Italia champion had been admitted to the facility to undergo surgery having been involved in a crash with a bus.
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"The patient Egan Bernal Gómez entered the emergency service, this morning, in an ambulance," the statement said.
"According to the results found, he must undergo surgery in the next few hours due to polytrauma: cervical and thoracic trauma (spine and neck trauma - Ed), closed chest trauma (blunt force injury to the upper body - Ed), skeletal muscle trauma (usually meaning muscle tears - Ed) and lower limb trauma."
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Early reports suggest Bernal somehow hit the back of the bus, apparently with force as the back of the vehicle appeared to be damaged. Local reports stated the bus driver had pulled in and Bernal hit the back of it in Gachancipá, Cundinamarca.
The 25-year-old was in Colombia at a team training camp and was riding in a group of Ineos Grenadiers riders, followed by team staff in vehicles, when the crash occurred this morning local time.
Hector Palau Saldarriaga, a Colombian journalist working for RCN Radio, is close to Bernal and he said the rider had suffered fractures to his femur and kneecap.
"Fractured patella and femur in the case of Egan Bernal," he said. "They are going to admit him to surgery at the Savannah clinic," said, adding the "painful news" had been confirmed by sources close to the rider.
Ineos Grenadiers issued a short statement confirming Bernal had been taken to hospital following the training ride crash this morning.
"Bernal, who is at a team training camp near his hometown, was accompanied to hospital by team medical staff and was conscious upon arrival," it said. "He is stable and undergoing further assessment. The team will provide an update on Egan's condition in due course."
