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Egan Bernal struggled on stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia, revealing a shocking heart rate spike that nearly derailed his race. This revelation sheds light on the physical challenges elite cyclists face during intense competition.
During the second-category climb on Cozzo Tunno, Bernal's heart rate soared above 190 bpm, prompting him to ease up as Movistar set a punishing pace. Despite feeling no leg pain, he described the sensation as akin to a car revving at full throttle. His teammate, Ben Turner, played a crucial role, sacrificing his own chances to help Bernal catch back up during a long descent to Cosenza.
Though Bernal avoided losing time at the finish, he expressed surprise at the sudden spike in his heart rate, stating, "I felt like I was going to die." Ineos directeur sportif Elia Viviani noted that the day following a rest day can be tough for riders as their bodies readjust. Turner finished fourth but was emotional about the team's decision to prioritize Bernal’s race strategy, acknowledging that he could have claimed the stage win had he not waited. Bernal's experience emphasizes the unpredictable nature of racing at this level.
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