Egan Bernal's future has been the subject of considerable uncertainty in recent weeks, but Netcompany INEOS are confident the former Tour de France winner will return to racing in 2027. After the Colombian recently acknowledged doubts about how much longer he would continue competing, sports director Dario Cioni has offered a reassuring update on the 29-year-old's plans.

Bernal has not raced since July's Tour de France, having ended his season after completing both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour. Reports earlier this month suggested the 2019 Tour champion was considering retirement, prompting a personal statement in which he confirmed his intention to return next year while leaving his longer-term future open.

Speaking to bici.PRO, Cioni pointed out that Bernal had already completed two Grand Tours before taking an extended break. The Italian also explained why the former Tour winner had decided against racing again before the end of 2026.

Bernal wore the Green Jersey briefly at the 2026 Tour de France

"He's not satisfied with finishing tenth"

"It's clear that Egan is a born winner. He's not satisfied with finishing tenth," Cioni said. "After the Tour, he no longer felt competitive, so he made the decision, rightly so, to end his season early. But he'll be back as normal in 2027."

Bernal's frustration comes despite some encouraging performances during 2026. He finished second overall at the Tour of the Alps, fifth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and tenth at the Giro d'Italia, where he also worked in support of teammate Thymen Arensman. His subsequent Tour de France campaign proved more difficult, ending with 20th place in the general classification.

Having won the Tour de France in 2019 and Giro d'Italia in 2021, Bernal has spent much of the past four years trying to rediscover the level that once made him one of the sport's leading Grand Tour contenders. His recovery from a life-threatening training accident in January 2022 has already taken him back to winning ways, including a stage victory at the 2025 Vuelta a España, but another major general classification triumph has remained out of reach.

Bernal's retirement doubts and INEOS' plans for 2027

Bernal himself was less emphatic about his future when he addressed the retirement speculation on 8 October, despite confirming he still has three years remaining on his contract.

"First of all, I have a contract with the team until the end of 2029 and, for now, my intention is to start next season," he wrote in his statement, having explained that he needed time away from competition to rest and rediscover his motivation. "I don't know exactly what the next few years will bring, and I don't think I need to have all the answers right now either."

The Colombian also made clear that simply extending his career was not his priority. "What I do know is that, for as long as I continue competing, I want to do so with the belief that I still have a lot to give. It is not simply about carrying on for the sake of carrying on, but about having the motivation, the physical and mental strength, and the desire to remain competitive and make a difference."

Since making those comments, Bernal has attended a Netcompany INEOS team gathering in Copenhagen, where riders underwent medical examinations and met representatives of the team's title sponsor. Cioni confirmed his presence at the event, which formed part of the British outfit's early preparations for 2027.

Bernal has yet to confirm his racing programme for next season, although the Copenhagen gathering has brought him back together with his teammates as INEOS begin laying the groundwork for the new campaign.