Egan Bernal (open in new tab), who has yet to finalize his 2020 Grand Tour plans, described the recently announced Giro d'Italia (open in new tab) route as "really special," and claimed that it would be a "great honor" to help teammate Chris Froome win his record fifth He claimed it would be a "great honor" to help teammate Chris Froome win his fifth Tour de France (open in new tab) title, the most in history.

Bernal is in a certain dilemma. While returning to the Tour de France as the defending champion with the number 1 on his back is an obvious attraction, he clearly likes the mountainous Giro d'Italia route and has strong ties to Italy, having lived there when he first moved to Europe ...

The 22-year-old Colombian won this year's Tour de France after a collarbone injury forced him to miss the Giro d'Italia. Team Ineos also has 2018 Tour winner Geraint Thomas and 2019 Giro winner Richard Carapas, who will be involved in the 2020 Grand Tour conundrum. Now that the routes for both Grand Tours have been revealed, the planning and decision-making process will begin.

Bernal was on his way to Japan for the Saitama Criterium when the Giro route was announced in Milan on Thursday, after visiting Paris last week to witness the presentation of what he described as "an excellent Tour de France for excellent climbers." Three individual time trials (58.8 total km), an alpine stage that will serve as a set piece for the final week, and 10 stages over 200 km, seemingly the antithesis of the Tour's celebration of short stages and climbing all the time.

"The parcours of the Giro is really special," Bernal told Cycling News in Saitama.

"There are three time trials, and especially the time trial on the last day is difficult for me. But there are some really long stages, which I like. There are a lot of long climbs. I really like it. I think it's a complete parkour: the time trial, the long stages, the long climbs. I really like it."

As for whether it suits him as much as the Tour? I can't really say at this point. I'll probably lose a bit of time in the three time trials, so that will be difficult for me, but on the long stages and the long climbs, if I perform well, I can do well.

He had hoped to race the Giro during Androni Giocattoli's tenure, but the Gianni Savio-led team was denied a wildcard invitation in 2017. His Corsarosa debut was highly anticipated, as he was set to compete again this year before breaking his collarbone.

"I certainly want to return to the Tour, but I would also love to ride the Giro.

"I don't want to make a decision right now or start thinking about one race. Because I don't think it's a good idea at this point to think about 'I'm going to ride the Giro' or 'I'm going to ride the Tour.' I'm not thinking about that at the moment.

"I think the teams have already talked about it, and in the next few weeks me and my coach will talk about it. But right now I'm resting and I'd rather enjoy that than think about next year."

A double entry in the Giro and Tour is quite possible. In his first two seasons with Team Ineos, Bernal rode the Tour de France as his only Grand Tour, but he is already considered mature enough to handle two three-week races in one campaign.

"The past two seasons I liked to run just one Grand Tour, but next year I want to run two. It all depends on how I finish my first Grand Tour."

"If I go to the Giro and I'm really tired, I might not go to the Tour. But if I'm fresh, I'll go to ...... No, I'm not fresh, but if I feel I can make the Tour, I can help or go for the GC ....... It depends on how I feel at the end of the first Tour. "

The idea of returning to the Tour de France in a support role was raised by Froome himself, although the 34-year-old has won the Tour four times and is seeking a fifth title alongside Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, He is still in the relatively early stages of recovery from a June accident that fractured his femur, sternum, elbow, and vertebrae.

Earlier this month, Froome insisted that Bernal was willing to support him at the 2020 Tour, and Bernal agreed.

"Froome, I think he is the best and I respect him very much. For me, if Froome is in better condition than me, it would be a great honor to help him win his fifth Tour," Bernal said.

The notion that leadership is determined by who is strongest applies to the entire Team Ineos team next year.

"We all have a good relationship, at least I have a good relationship with all of us myself. With Calapaz it's easy to understand each other because we speak the same language, our countries are close, and our cultures are almost the same. At the Tour this year he was very calm and it was always very easy.

"We can't think now about who will be the leader. After all, whoever is the best on the road will be the leader of Team Ineos."