Colombian Egan Bernal was crowned champion of the Tour de France
Colombia has dressed in yellow to celebrate with Egan Bernal a historic moment: The first time in history that a Colombian has managed to win the most important cycling tour in the world. Bernal always maintained his humility and perseverance to achieve the dreamed trophy, and today he has achieved it, he is the new champion of the Tour de France.
Two Colombians had managed to wear the yellow shirt previously. In the Tour de France the yellow shirt is worn by the one who starts a lap as leader and Colombians Victor Hugo Peña and Fernando Gaviria managed to lead laps in 2003 and 2018, respectively. However, no one managed to be crowned Tour champion, so today yellow in Colombia is the color of champions.
EganBernal is the youngest champion in the history of the Tour de France
At only 22 years old, this young man also obtains this significant historical record, the new youngest champion still does not believe the size of the achievement he has achieved and since before he was crowned, he has always thought of dedicating his achievements in competition to his country:
"I feel that the triumph is not only mine but that of an entire country, the first Tour in the history of Colombia. We have already won the round and the round, I would like to be the first Colombian to win the tour," the Colombian expressed excitedly before to get the trophy.
Saturday's stage specifically defined the Tour de France table, at this stage Egan Bernal came in fourth place, however, it is the accumulation of total times, of all races, which is taken into account at the time of decide the position of the cyclists and in this line the Colombian went on to definitively lead the Tour de France.
On Sunday there is a tour, but it is very short and somehow somewhat formal that leads to the coronation ceremony. Egan Bernal still does not seem to believe the size of his feat and thus demonstrated it to reporters covering the tour:
"We still have to get to Paris", he told reporters. "I can't understand what's going on. I'll need a few days, it's amazing. It will take me a few days to realize what I have accomplished. To be honest, I felt good today. I kept thinking five kilometers, four kilometers, three kilometers. One less, one less to go, each time".
As he approached the finish line in Saturday's race that made him champion, Egan Bernal watched as past Tour champion and trophy defender Geraint Thomas approached him and took his hand to cross the finish line together, it was at that moment that the Colombian seemed to react and smile happily.
