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The young cyclist Egan Bernal, champion of the Tour de France 2019, returned to Colombia. On Wednesday, August 7, his compatriots celebrated his victory in the hometown of Zipaquira, about fifty kilometers from Bogota, where thousands of people gathered for the return of the hero of the Great Loop.
A merry crowd chants Egan Bernal's name. After returning to Colombia on Monday, the 22-year-old champion chose to celebrate his victory at the Tour de France in the city that saw him grow up on his bike.
Zipaquira is perched at 2,700 meters above sea level, explains our special correspondent , Marie-Ève Detoeuf . The place makes cyclists with steel legs, say its inhabitants who do not hide their pride.
" It's a happiness for us. Nobody has ever won the Tour de France so far, we are very proud. Egan Bernal has raised our flag very high , "says a man.
In the guest area, alongside the 75-year-old grandfather Alvaro Julio Bernal, are former glories of Colombian cycling: Lucho Herrera, Patrocinio Jimenez and Mauricio Soler.
For Colombians, Egan's achievement is more than just a sporting victory. It is experienced as a kind of national revenge and was also celebrated on the 200th anniversary of independence.
" Colombia is not just drugs, narco-trafficking or guerrilla warfare. Egan is the strength of us all and all those young people who want to move forward. Egan tells us: yes it is possible, "rejoices Johanna.
On the stage, the young champion is modest: " I do not know if I can win another round of France. I want to keep my feet on the ground, continue to work as I have done so far and continue to love cycling. "
Like the first Colombian winner of the Great Loop, everyone in Zipaquira loves cycling. Egan Bernal remains very attached to this place. He lives near his parents' home and drives with his little brother.
To cross Paris, it is sincerely moving, really very moving. Me, I did not know what I wanted, if I wanted the stage to finish quickly to be champion of the Tour or that the day never ends to continue to cross these avenues so beautiful, this place so special, with all these Colombian flags. You would have thought there were more Colombians than French there!
Egan Bernal recalls the last stage of his Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées 08/08/2019 - by Marie-Eve Detoeuf Play