Egan Bernal admitted that a bad crash in training changed his life forever as he continues to recover from multiple fractures and spinal surgery.

It is still too early to suggest when he will be able to return to racing, and the 25-year-old Colombian still faces months of rehabilitation and hard work. But for now, he is content to just live.

"I actually learned an important lesson from this accident, which is absurd, but I'm grateful to have survived the experience," Bernal said, speaking from the bottom of his heart as he often does before joining about 4,000 others on a Zwift ride called "Ride with Egan." [I'm] happy to be alive and I'm starting to feel a little bit like a cyclist again. I want to say thank you to everyone who wrote to me and sent me positive energy. The energy and support of so many people in cycling across the country and around the world, and especially my loved ones, has allowed me to move forward and reverse the doctors' initial terrible diagnosis."

Bernal is slowly recovering from a number of injuries, fully aware that doctors told him there was a 95 percent chance he would be paralyzed from the waist down and that his professional racing career could have been over.

Two and a half months after the accident, his 20 fractures have healed, the pain that kept him up at night has diminished, and he is enjoying riding again.

"The accident has helped me to see things from a different perspective. Before, I was only focused on cycling and being the best rider in the world. But my real priority in life is to feel good and be with the people I love," he said emotionally. [When you're hooked up to a ventilator, you feel fragile and vulnerable.

"Now I send strength to those who are suffering. We must have patience and give the right consideration to what happens in life. Being forced to miss a race can be traumatic, but being in this world surrounded by the love of family and friends is more important. Sometimes we forget what is really important."

In mid-March, Bernal's coach, Xavier Arteche, hinted to La Gazzetta dello Sport that Bernal has an incredible desire to return to racing and could return as late as 2022. He hinted that he could return in late 2022.

Despite running slowly on Zwift and outdoors, Bernal is more cautious, with a cane in his hand to remind everyone that he still struggles to walk.

"I don't know how long it will take to recover. I don't want to rush my return or set a date, it's not ideal considering everything that has happened," Bernal said.

"Obviously I want to recover as soon as possible, but I have to listen to my body. The Ineos Grenadiers will help me and give me all the time I need. I have to get back to full health and finish the race before I can even think about getting back to winning. That is already an important success."

He has no fear of crashing again or not being able to take the risks of professional racing.

"I don't want to be afraid to do what I love," Bernal said.

"I don't know if I will be afraid when I go back to running fast. So far, I've only ridden a few times. The first thing I felt when I got back in the saddle wasn't fear. Instead, it was pure happiness."