Giro d'Italia Winner Egan Bernal Presents Pope Francis With Bicycle | Cycling News
Giro d’Italia winner Egan Bernal on Wednesday presented Pope Francis with a bicycle following an audience in the Vatican, a day after the rider announced he had recovered from Covid-19. The 24-year-old Colombian tested positive on June 4, less than a week after his triumph in Italy. “I have had many experiences in my life, but this is unique, the most beautiful experience I have had,” Bernal said after receiving a blessing from the Argentine pontiff in the San Damasco courtyard inside the Vatican.
The cyclist presented the 84-year-old pontiff with a Pinarello F12 bicycle, decked in blue and white stripes and the Vatican coat of arms, the same model on which he rode to victory in the Giro, which ended on May 30.
The Ineos rider also gave the pontiff a pink jersey, the garment that identifies the leader of the three-week race around Italy.
“A gift from me and from all Colombians who at this time need his blessing,” Bernal said he told the pontiff as he handed him the jersey.
Pope Francis jokingly asked Bernal in Spanish if he drank “muchos tintos,” or Colombian coffees before his races.
