Bernal hopeful of back injury recovery

INEOS Grenadiers team leader Egan Bernal has admitted that he his still feeling the effects of the back injury that took him out of the Critérium du Dauphiné last month.

The defending Tour de France champion heads into today’s Grand Départ as one of the main race favourites but with Jumbo-Visma flying in recent weeks, the Colombian rider is still working his way towards his best form.

“As for my health, I believe I’m much better. I still have a bit of pain in my back, but the truth is it’s much better compared to the Dauphiné, so I’m hoping it gets better as the Tour goes on,” Bernal said yesterday during his team’s pre-race press conference.

“I’m feeling better and I hope during the whole Tour to still work hard on the back, trying to recover, especially for the last week.”