Egan Bernal said that he is not yet considering a return to racing after his career-threatening crash in January, but that he is looking to return in July or August.

Bernal, a Colombian, continues to recover and rehabilitate from an accident in which he crashed into a stationary bus while training on a time trial bike in Colombia. Last month, Bernal began riding outdoors again after a long stint on an indoor trainer.

Bernal, who suffered fractures to his vertebrae, femur, patella, and ribs in the accident, reportedly plans to make a comeback before the end of the 2022 season, despite Ineos Grenadier vice president Rod Ellingworth's statement in late April that he had "no plans yet" to return to racing

Cycling.

Cycling News reports that Bernal could return to the peloton in July or August. Specific dates and races are still unknown. He and Ineos plan to work out the details of a comeback in the coming weeks.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport at the "Gran Gala del Ciclismo" in Cuneo on Thursday, Bernal did not mention a return date and claimed that he has not yet thought about racing.

"In my opinion, [racing] is still a long way off. 'Winning or participating in a race is not in my mind. I don't know yet when that will be. It's hard to know when I'll be able to come back."

However, Bernal said he will return to the Giro d'Italia next season, which he won in 2021.

"In 2023 I want to run all the races I didn't run this year.

"I didn't watch much racing, but I saw the stage that finished in the blockhouse. Richard [Karapas] wasn't wrong. He is one of the favorites to win and he can win."

Bernal said he is now training on the bike two hours a day along with other rehabilitation exercises throughout the rest of his days.

"The reason I'm doing two hours on the bike is because I do gym work in the morning and physiotherapy at night. I work all day so I don't have time to do anything else."

"When this happens, it changes the way you think. Getting up, walking, talking.... Getting up, walking, talking...