Egan Bernal, the Colombian INEOS cyclist currently on vacation in his home country after the season ended, has suffered a major setback. He reported the disappearance of one of his most treasured possessions: the bicycle he rode to victory in the 2019 Tour de France.
“I have to tell you something. My bike is gone. We’re checking cameras and trying to figure out what happened. Hopefully this can be cleared up quickly. We’ll keep you updated on what happens,” he said in a short video posted on social media, his expression showing sadness and shock over the incident.
The bike is a yellow Pinarello that helped him become the first Colombian to win the Tour de France at age 22, beating Geraint Thomas (also from INEOS) and Visma’s Steven Kruijswijk, who finished second and third respectively. It remains his greatest achievement to date, alongside his 2021 Giro d’Italia triumph.
After surviving a life-threatening crash in early 2022 when he collided with a bus while training in Colombia, Bernal now faces another distressing situation—this time emotional—as the bicycle that carried him into cycling history has vanished.
Authorities are investigating the case, and fans hope for a swift resolution. The bike is not just a piece of equipment but a symbol of a national hero’s glory.