Egan Bernal and four local professional riders have received special permission to train outdoors in and around his hometown of Zipaquila, thanks to the local mayor's extension of the easing measures announced by the Colombian government regarding mobility and sports.

Efe news agency reports that Bernal, Brandon Rivera (Team Ineos), Camilo Castiblanco (Team Illuminate), Diego Vazquez (Colnago CM), and Dier Rincon (Focus Team VTT) will begin outdoor training is now possible.

The Colombian government announced over the weekend that people could go outdoors for an hour of personal exercise each day, but the sports director and mayor of Zipaquira issued an even more special decree for Bernal and his local professional colleagues. They are required, however, to ride their bikes between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m. and maintain a minimum distance of 5 meters when training together.

Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic), Sergio Iguita (Education First), Esteban Chavez (Mitchelton Scott), and others are in other parts of Colombia and must respect national legislation unless they obtain similar special permits.

In Europe, Italy has confirmed that it will allow outdoor cycling starting in May, and France is likely to allow cycling starting May 11. In the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, cycling is permitted during the COVID-19 epidemic, raising concerns about a two-speed peloton when racing finally resumes.

Bernal has been in strict confinement in Colombia since March 16 after returning from Europe, where races were canceled due to the COVID-19 epidemic. His last race was the Colombia 2.1 stage race in February, and he carefully respected his isolation period and enjoyed a break from training before beginning a series of rides on his home trainer on April 1.

Bernal recently donated his Pinarello bicycle and Tour de France yellow jersey to a charity auction to raise funds to provide 1,000 protein meals to help needy families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, he also posted a message on social media in support of using cycling as a means of transportation during the lockdown.

"I have a question, is cycling a good mode of transportation compared to other modes of transportation during a coronavirus outbreak?" he asked on Twitter, adding: "Many of us and even the WHO (World Health Organization) agree that cycling is the safest mode of transportation during a coronavirus If we agree that it is one of the safest means of transportation, then we should look for ways for citizens to feel safer using this means of transportation." Do you think it's time to go back to two wheels?

Bernal Team Ineos teammates Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have stated that they will try to win the 2020 Tour de France, even though the Grand Boucle is scheduled for August 29 to September 20, and so has Bernal, He will likely return to his European base in Andorra to complete the required quarantine period.

"My preparations are going much better and I am focused on the Tour de France. The Tour de France is my first and only serious goal. Every other race will be aimed at the Tour de France," Bernal said at the beginning of the year.