According to the latest medical report, the 25-year-old cyclist was hospitalized with a fractured femur, patella and chest trauma, the La Sabana University Clinic where he is being treated said in a statement.
"We hope that the spine surgery in progress can be carried out in the best way," the statement added, without giving further details on the severity of the injuries.
The runner "has polytrauma and must undergo surgery in the next few hours", the medical team initially explained in a press release, according to his Ineos team.
The reigning Giro champion had planned to resume competition in France for the Tour de La Provence, from February 10 to 13.
He was then to follow a consistent program with in particular the UAE Tour, from February 20 to 26, for a taste of next summer and the match announced on the Tour de France with the Slovenian Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), winner of the Grande Boucle in 2020 and 2021.
The accident occurred in the town of Gachancipa, nearly thirty kilometers north of the Colombian capital when the cyclist hit the back of a stationary bus, Colombian authorities said.
In photographs released by local media, the runner can be seen lying on the ground, facing the back of a bus and surrounded by his teammates.
A few days ago, the runner had complained about the recklessness of a motorist who had failed to overthrow his teammates and himself during a training outing, in a video posted on his social networks.
Return to France
Shortly before celebrating his 25th birthday on January 13, Bernal formalized the extension of his long-term contract with the Ineos team, until the end of 2026.
At the same time, he confirmed the priority given in 2022 to cycling's number one event: "I really want to go back to the Tour. I jumped last year because of the Giro, I feel like that It's been a long time since I've been on the Tour. I'm very enthusiastic".
Since his success in the Tour de France 2019, acquired in the last three days of racing, the Colombian climber has followed a curve of great amplitude for his results, between highs and lows.
He failed in 2020 in the Tour (not starting 17th stage because of severe back pain) but won the Giro last May before contracting Covid-19 and completing an average course for a rider of his level in the Vuelta (6th).
"These will be my best years and I want to spend this time with this team," said the first Colombian to win the loop in France.
The 2022 edition of the Tour will begin on the first of July with an individual time trial stage in Copenhagen and will end on the 24th on the Champs Élysées in Paris.
© 2022 AFP