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Egan Bernal
Photo:
JENNIFER LORENZINI / REUTERS
Former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal has suffered serious injuries in a training accident in his native Colombia.
According to a statement from the university hospital near Bogotá, Bernal broke his thigh and kneecap.
He also suffered a chest injury.
The 25-year-old has had multiple surgeries.
The interventions were successful, Bernal should remain in intensive care for 72 hours.
The completion of an operation on the thoracic spine is still awaited, after which there should be new information.
His British Ineos Grenadiers team described his star's condition as "stable" after being admitted to the hospital and reported minor injuries.
Many athletes, such as the Colombian professional cyclist Nairo Quintana and soccer player Radamel Falcao, expressed their condolences on social networks.
Colombian President Iván Duque also wished Bernal a speedy recovery via Twitter.
Bernal has been a national hero since his tour victory in Colombia in 2019 at the latest.
Ineos Grenadiers initially did not provide any further information on the accident in Gachancipa, around 30 kilometers from the capital Bogotá.
However, according to local transport authorities, the 2019 Tour winner riding a time trial bike crashed into a bus when the vehicle stopped at a bus stop.
Photos from the scene of the accident circulated on social media.
In the pictures, Bernal can be seen lying on the ground and surrounded by his teammates, as well as a dent in the back of the bus.
Bernal: Third year without Tour de France?
Bernal recently prepared for the upcoming season with parts of his team in his home country.
Just a few days ago, the South American and his colleagues narrowly escaped an accident during a training drive when a vehicle that had obviously gotten out of control sped towards the group of drivers and the group was able to avoid it with difficulty.
When Bernal can sit back in the racing saddle is initially open.
However, the severity of the injuries make it unlikely that he will be able to return to the Tour de France.
Bernal had announced big goals at the beginning of the year.
He intends to return to the Tour, he said after extending his contract with Ineos Grenadiers until 2026.
Bernal was in 2020 for the last time in the Tour of France, a year after his surprise success.
Due to a back injury, however, he had to give up early and thus buried his hopes of successfully defending his title.
Last year, Bernal did not compete in France, instead he competed in the Giro d'Italia - and won it for the first time.
krä/sid/dpa