Real West Gravel Grinder - March 16, 2025 - Pendleton OR

Egan Bernal hit stationary Bus at full speed on Time Trial Bike

Tour de France champion was riding in time trial position at around 45 - 55 kph when he slammed into the back of a bus that had stopped to let passengers off

Bernal is conscious and showing mobility in all four limbs, doctors confirmed Wednesday.

Police interviews confirm that Bernal was riding in a tucked position on his time trial bike, and he did hear warning from teammates moments before he slammed into the back of the bus at around 45-55 kph

Local authorities interviewed several eyewitnesses to the crash, including the 55-year-old driver of the bus that Bernal struck.

Juan Castro, local transit policeman, said Bernal was riding “so concentrated” he did not “hear the warnings” from his teammates of the stopped bus ahead.

VIDEO: Egan Bernal hit stationary Bus at full speed on Time Trial Bike

Bernal and teammates were riding near Gachancipá, 30km north of Bogotá, when the crash happened at about 10 a.m., according to police reports.

Colombian police report that an inter-city bus stopped for passengers ahead Bernal and his teammates.

Bernal slammed into the back of the stationary bus at high speed, leaving a large imprint on the tail of the vehicle.

Luckily the back of the bus was made of fiberglass, not metal, which helped to absorb some of the impact.

Two other team riders were ahead of him, he did not see the bus that had pulled over and stopped, and slammed into the bus at struck at 45 - 55 kph

The is probably the worst accident a cyclist could have, hitting a static object.

Luckily the back of the bus was made of fiberglass, not metal, which helped to absorb some of the impact.

Bernal was treated at the scene initially by team staff before being taking to the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana in Bogotá, where he was twice operated on.

The injuries are serious and complex, with the 25-year-old suffering cervical and thoracic trauma and musculoskeletal trauma.

Ineos Grenadiers released an update on Wednesday afternoon: "Following yesterday’s training accident, Egan remains in a stable condition in intensive care after two successful surgeries," it said.

"Egan suffered a fractured vertebrae, a fractured right femur, a fractured right patella, chest trauma, a punctured lung and several fractured ribs in the crash.

"Doctors were able to medically pin his right leg and stabilise the vertebrae fracture in two separate surgeries last night. He is now in an intensive care unit where other potential secondary injuries are being managed, as well as his body’s response to the trauma.

"The team would like to thank the medical staff at Clinica Universidad de La Sabana and everyone who has sent messages of support to Egan. All of our focus is on ensuring Egan is given the best possible care as he starts on his road to recovery."

VIDEO: Egan Bernal Hits a Bus at High Speed

#ATENCION | Las duras imagenes del accidente de Egan Bernal a primera hora mientras entrenaba por vías de Cundinamarca ??????‍??????????#FuerzaEgan #EganBernal

?? @SebasAraujoVdz
?? @NoticiasRCN pic.twitter.com/iXSXCBJG4E
— Mundo Ciclístico (@mundociclistico) January 24, 2022

PHOTO: Egan Bernal in Hospital

“After having had a 95 percent probability of being left a paraplegic and almost lost my life doing what I love the most … today I want to thank God,” Bernal wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him lying in bed wearing a neck brace. He also thanked the doctors who operated on fractures to his vertebrae, kneecap and thighbone. Bernal said he would remain in the intensive care unit at the Universidad de La Sabana clinic just outside Bogota awaiting further surgery. The clinic said the reigning Giro d’Italia champion would soon undergo more surgery to repair fractures in his hand and mouth."

PHOTO: Egan Bernal in Hospital