Egan Bernal will compete at the Volta a Catalunya next week, his team Ineos Grenadiers has confirmed.
Although it was initially thought that Bernal would take part in the Settimana Coppi e Bartali event – as he was listed among the competitors set to race the five-day stage race next week – the Colombian has now been confirmed to be making his career debut at Catalunya.
On Tuesday, Ineos revealed that Bernal would head up their squad for the event in Spain, which takes place from March 20 to March 26.
He will be joined by team-mate by Geraint Thomas, who missed the Tirreno-Adriatico due to a recurring illness he suffered before the Tour Down Under. The team is completed by Jonathan Castroviejo, Ethan Hayter, Luke Plapp, Salvatore Puccio and Ben Tulett.
There are three tough mountain stages to Vallter, La Molina and Lo Port, with the race concluding at Montjuic Park in Barcelona.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got 30 bike riders and any of them could ride the Tour,” Ellingworth said. “You’ve got to put the best eight on the line, haven’t you?
“What we know about Egan and what you could see last year, is that he’s still prepared to put in the hard work for the team if he’s the leader or not a leader.
“He’s a bit like Geraint Thomas in that sense. They’re great role models for the younger guys.
“If Egan was fit enough, why would you not take him to the Tour for his experience and for the help he can give the team?
“The door’s completely wide open and the Tour is still four months away.”
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