Close calls for Bernal, Carapaz in Colombia

From stray dogs to veering vehicles, it’s been a rather eventful week of training for Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz and their Ineos Grenadiers teammates.

(L-R) Egan Bernal, Pavel Sivakov and Richard Carapaz of team Ineos Grenadiers Source: Getty Images

The British team encountered a close call during Tuesday’s training session in Colombia, when a car swerved towards the wrong side of the road during their descent.

Ineos riders were left unscathed by the vehicle but not before the driver veered back into his lane after overtaking a van in oncoming traffic.

That wasn’t the only scare the team’s Spanish-speaking contingent would encounter, with a dog later threatening to run across their path unannounced; forcing the group to brake hard and turn away.

Close calls are not uncommon during training camps, but Bernal in particular would prefer to avoid them as he prepares for the Tour de la Provence – the first event of his 2022 campaign.

The Colombian will also lead the line at the Tour de France this year, with Carapaz focused on the Giro d’Italia.

Every stage of the Tour de la Provence will be live-streamed via SBS On Demand from February 10-13, with highlights to be shown daily on SBS and SBS On Demand.