While Geraint Thomas' contract status remains unsigned and uncertain, and Ineos Grenadiers has yet to announce its 2022 Grand Tour plans, Eoghan Bernal has reiterated his desire to return to the Tour de France and compete for the yellow jersey.

The 2019 Tour de France winner skipped this year's race after winning the Giro d'Italia in May after missing the 2020 event due to a back injury.

In the summer, Richard Karapas fought valiantly for a podium finish, but Ineos was unable to beat Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), who won the race for the second straight year.

With Bernal in perfect physical condition, he will likely be Ineos' best hope to regain the Tour de France title in the coming years. Next year's Tour de France will feature a time trial of more than 50km, and the Colombian is the team's best option in the mountains at this stage.

The route for the 2022 Tour de France has already been announced and includes a 53km time trial. While there will be some expeditions to the Vosges, the Alps, and the Pyrenees along the way, the route is definitely for time trial specialists and all-rounders.

Interviewed by Mundo Ciclístico Magazine (opens in new tab) at an event in Colombia, the 24-year-old, when asked about the Tour de France, said he hopes to compete in the Grand Brule.

"The answer is yes. It is clear that I will focus all my preparation and efforts on the idea of competing in the Tour de France next year," Bernal said.

"It's time to get back on the path we took in 2019 and a little bit away from it."

Bernal admitted earlier this month that his long-standing back problems were not completely healed this season and that treatment was part of his regular training and recovery schedule. However, he suggested to Mundo Ciclístico Magazine that the injury was now a thing of the past.

"I think I have fully recovered, but I am still monitoring my progress through physical therapy sessions and strengthening in the gym.

Bernal will continue to train in Colombia until early December, after which he will travel to Europe to attend his first training camp in Spain.

By that time, Thomas' contract situation will be resolved and Ineos Grenadiers will be able to make Bernal's intentions for the Tour de France public.