Egan Bernal, the reigning Tour de France champion, has ambitions of joining a club chosen from the riders who have won each of the three Grand Tours. The Colombian, who last year became the first rider from his country to win the Tour, has yet to compete in either the Giro d'Italia or the Vuelta a España.
To date, only seven riders in cycling history have accomplished this feat, including Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Inaud, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, and Chris Froome.
Bernal's compatriot Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic), who has won the Giro and Vuelta and twice finished second in the Tour, is the closest active rider to winning three consecutive Grand Tours.
"I want to win three Grand Tours," Bernal said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa; since joining Team Ineos from Androni Giocattoli in 2018, the 23-year-old has competed in two Tour de France and has set that as his goal again this year
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Despite a condensed calendar after COVID-19, Bernal is capable of targeting the Tour-Vuelta double this season. However, Bernal is targeting the Giro d'Italia next season.
"It's a very close race," he said. If I were to participate, it would be to win. And I want to do the same at the Vuelta a España. It would be great to win all three and be part of the history of the sport."
[12At the Tour de France this September, Bernal will be part of Ineos' three-leader team, with past winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas likely to be the second and third favorites to win behind him.
There is already much talk about who will ultimately lead the British team, and recent statements from the team indicate that a decision will be made close to the race, which kicks off on August 29.
Four-time champion Chris Froome has been rumored to be on the move mid-season due to fears that he will no longer be able to lead the team in France. Bernal said that Parcourt has made the decision in France and has a good relationship with his co-leaders.
"I have a great relationship with Froome and Thomas. 'We act like real professionals, with integrity and honesty. As always, the course will be the deciding factor. I have great confidence in the team and the strategy that should lead us to victory."
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