Egan Bernal’s 2022 Bus Crash: The Moment That Nearly Ended a Champion’s Career
January 2022 – Colombia
In a harrowing incident that sent shockwaves through the cycling world, 2019 Tour de France champion Egan Bernal suffered a near-fatal crash after colliding at high speed with a stationary bus during a training ride in his native Colombia. The crash left a visible dent in the rear of the vehicle—an image that circulated rapidly on Twitter and symbolized the severity of the impact.
Bernal, then considered one of the brightest stars in professional cycling, was reportedly traveling at around 50 km/h during a time trial training session with teammates from the Ineos Grenadiers squad. The accident occurred when the stationary bus stopped unexpectedly, leaving Bernal no time to react. The result was catastrophic.
The medical report that followed painted a grim picture: fractured vertebrae, a broken femur, a shattered kneecap, multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung, and serious chest trauma. For hours, Bernal’s life hung in the balance. Multiple emergency surgeries were conducted in the days that followed—first to stabilize his spine, then to repair the damage to his leg and other internal injuries.
As updates trickled in, the tone shifted from fear of the worst to cautious optimism. Still, doctors warned that recovery would be long and uncertain, both in terms of basic mobility and any potential return to elite sport.
Bernal’s crash became a rallying point within the cycling community, with riders, fans, and teams worldwide flooding social media with messages of support. His accident served as a stark reminder of the dangers elite cyclists face, even outside of competition.
In the two years since the crash, Bernal has fought to return to the sport he once dominated. Though his comeback has been gradual, his determination and resilience continue to inspire fans across the globe.
What’s next for Egan Bernal remains to be seen—but simply being alive, let alone back in the saddle, is already a triumph.
