Egan Bernal’s promising 2025 season has hit an unexpected setback after the Colombian rider fractured his collarbone in a crash at the Clásica Jaén on Monday.
The crash, which occurred with just 12 kilometers remaining in the race, forced the Ineos Grenadiers rider to abandon the event. Bernal had been part of a 10-rider chase group behind his teammate Michał Kwiatkowski, who later claimed victory. Although the team celebrated the win, the injury to Bernal cast a shadow over an otherwise successful day for Ineos in Spain.
The full extent of Bernal’s time away from racing is yet to be determined, but his injury marks a disappointing interruption in what had been a strong start to the season. Ineos Grenadiers confirmed the diagnosis on social media, stating that Bernal had suffered a fractured clavicle and would receive care from the team’s medical staff as they prepare a recovery plan.
After being released from the hospital, Bernal shared his thoughts on the unfortunate turn of events. “I was really happy to start racing again in Europe, especially with my new Colombian jersey and also starting with a victory from Kwiato. The way we raced was great, and it was really nice to be part of a strong team. I was feeling really strong and obviously I’m sad to have crashed, but at the same time, the way I felt during the race gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep working hard. The season is very long, and I’ve felt very good in the three races I’ve done. I just have to keep working and I hope to be back soon.”
The 26-year-old rider had been showing promising form early in the year, including victories at the Colombian National Championships, where he won both the time trial and road race titles. These successes marked his first wins since a life-threatening crash in early 2022, which left him uncertain about his future in the sport.
Before that devastating incident, Bernal had established himself as a top contender, having won the Tour de France in 2019 and the Giro d’Italia in 2021. His recovery in 2024 showed signs of his return to form, with notable finishes such as seventh at Paris-Nice, third at the Volta a Catalunya, 10th at the Tour de Romandie, and fourth at the Tour de Suisse.
At the Clásica Jaén, Bernal had been part of a strong Ineos team performance, with three riders finishing in the top 10. They worked together to chase down moves and block efforts to reel in Kwiatkowski, who secured his team’s first victory since July 2024, ending a 226-day winless streak.
Bernal’s injury is a tough blow, but his early-season performances offer hope for a strong return once he has fully recovered.
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