Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) admitted that "if all goes well" he would like to return to the Tour de France in 2023, which he won in 2019.

In a lengthy interview with Colombia's Caracol Radio, Bernal said his ideal goal for next year is to "compete (in the Tour), get the best possible results and be in good form."

He recognizes that it is difficult to know if he can beat Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) or Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma), the last three Tour winners. However, he said he will give it his all.

Bernal also voiced his support for fellow Colombian Nairo Quintana, who is currently in the middle of a legal battle over his positive test for tramadol, and said he hopes things work out for the best for him.

Bernal, 25, provided a lengthy update on his current condition, saying that he is doing well. [After suffering a life-threatening accident last January 24, Bernal told Caracol Radio's El_vbar program, "I had the last surgery on my knee a month ago. I'll be back racing in January or February. I didn't expect such a fast recovery, and at first my first thought after the crash was not to return to being a professional cyclist or to ride a bike, but to lead a normal life."

"Then the second option became possible.

Rather than letting the Ineos Grenadiers expect too much progress on their comeback, "it was myself who put the pressure on," he said.

"They told me to take it easy. But I said, 'If I want to get back to my top level, if I want to win another Tour, I have to start moving again. I live for the sport and I live for cycling.'

Bernal, who rode numerous races throughout the summer and late fall, said that returning to the peloton to help the team, even if not at the highest level, helped him considerably mentally.

"After the accident I wanted more than anything to see if I was still scared and I was very nervous for the first few kilometers. I was very nervous for the first few kilometers. But I got through it."

As for next year, "If everything goes well and the strength in my right leg, which was most affected, is fully recovered, I want to start 2023 as a normal rider. Then I want to return to the Tour."

"I have eight or nine months to do so and I am mentally ready. In fact, I think the rest of the year will help me."

"So I want to be 100% in the Grand Tour and hopefully in the Tour."

Bernal has had to battle not only the accident but also her mother's cancer, and thankfully she is on the road to recovery. However, he says that this difficult year has highlighted for him the importance of family in his life and the importance of having and relying on their support. He also thanked his team once again for their backup. Returning to sports, he said he was not concerned about reports that the Ineos Grenadiers might increase their GC options in the future.

"It's normal. I don't think any team in the world would want to get a really strong rider like Tadej Pogacar or Remco (Evenpole) today." Every team wants to get a really strong rider.

"My teammate Geraint Thomas finished third in the Tour de France this year, and Carlitos [Carlos Rodriguez] could win the Grand Tour next year. We have some great riders," he said. He then mentioned another Colombian, Dani Martinez, as a potential future Grand Tour winner.

Regarding possible race programs, Bernal said that the Vuelta a San Juan in January in Argentina is one option, and the Tour Colombia in February would be another if the race goes ahead. He also considered the Colombian championships, Paris-Nice, Strade Bianche, and the Criterium du Dauphiné. But these are just ideas, and everything could change," he said. It all depends on how the season goes."

Asked directly if he could beat Evenpole, Vingegaard, and Pogacar in the Tour, Bernal told Caracol Radio, "I don't know," and that the early season would help show his basic conditioning.

Examining the options, he added: "I don't know. It goes without saying that they are very strong, but I have faith, and I have won the Giro and the Tour myself. It's going to be a very interesting Tour and I'm going to give it my all there and make sure the strongest rider wins ...... That's sport."

Bernal also added that he is determined to win the Vuelta a España one day. Personally, it would be great if I could win all three. Then I can retire happy. The Vuelta a España is a very difficult race to win, but I'm 25 years old and it's not over yet."