Egan Bernal becomes the first ever Columbian to win Tour de France

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Egan Bernal became Columbia’s first ever winner of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday and the youngest to be crowned in 110 years. Thousands of people gathered across Columbia to celebrate Bernal’s victory.

Bernal, 22, also claimed the title of being the third youngest winner in the history of the tournament and his success makes him the seventh rider in eight years from a Brailsford-managed team to win the Tour.

“This is the Tour, this is the Tour, there is nothing more important than the Tour de France and I want to take this jersey back to Colombia,” Bernal said after completing the grueling 3,409 km three-week marathon in triumph.

He succeeded teammate Geraint Thomas, who finished second, one minute 11 seconds behind, as champion, breaking a run of four straight British wins in cycling’s most famous race.
“It’s the first of many,” Thomas said. “Egan’s just been improving all the time and was born to go uphill fast. He is a phenomenal athlete. He has the best team around him to support him and he has many great years ahead. He’s got good support with his family. He’s a humble guy with a very bright future.”

Conditions challenged cyclists this year, ranging from heat to a hailstorm to a landslide that cut short the 20th stage in the Alps. Bernal did not win a single stage, but he was first at the top of the Col de l’Iseran when the 19th stage was stopped because of hailstorms and landslides in the Alps.

“Colombia is on the verge of winning its first Tour, We already had won the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta a Espana, but the Tour was missing and it’s a great honor to think that I’m the one achieving this,” Bernal said on Saturday.

Bernal and his teammates shared champagne as they completed the 128 km between Rambouillet and the Champs Elysees.

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