105 days after Egan Bernal suffered a life-threatening crash while training in Colombia, he took another step toward a return to the peloton, posting on social media that he was out of the saddle for the first time.

The 2021 Giro d'Italia winner was training on a time trial bike with his Ineos Grenadiers teammates on January 24 when he crashed into the back of a stopped city bus.

The impact of the crash left him with 20 fractures, including a broken spine.

As the fractures healed, Bernal first rejoined his stationary trainer and then gradually began riding his road bike; in early April, he hosted a Zwift ride, before thanking his trainer for the lessons his road to recovery had taught him.

"I actually learned an important lesson from this accident, and I am grateful, absurdly, that I survived the experience," Bernal said. Before, all I was focused on was cycling and being the best rider in the world. But what I really prioritize in life is feeling good and being with the people I love."

Bernal then returned to Europe to train with the team, and although the news has fueled speculation about a return to competition, Ineos insists that he has made no plans to resume competing.

Team deputy manager Rod Ellingworth told Cycling News late last month that it was premature to talk about Bernal's racing schedule.

"Egan has recovered faster than anyone expected," Ellingworth said.

"So he will be back. But I don't have any expectations, and I don't have any plans to race at all yet. It's too early to predict when he will be back. There's no point in even giving a date."