Nairo Quintana targets Tour de France after finally breaking Chris Froome to win Vuelta a Espana
After five grand tours and much Tour de France heartache, the Colombian finally looks down on English rival from the top of the podium in Madrid
After five grand tours and much Tour de France heartache, Nairo Quintana finally looked down on Chris Froome from the top of the podium in Madrid Sunday having claimed his first Vuelta a Espana.
Quintana’s win was his second grand tour title following the Giro d’Italia in 2014, but his ultimate dream of becoming the first South American to win the Tour de France has been denied by Froome.
Three times Quintana has made the podium of la grande boucle, in the three years when Froome has kept the yellow jersey to himself in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
“It is a dream I have that continues in my mind and I hope one day will come true,” said Quintana of his Tour de France ambitions.
For now he has the satisfaction of finally getting one over on Froome and the confidence that will bring for a fascinating showdown between the two at the Tour in 2017.
“It signifies the growth of Nairo Quintana and the ability to compete with the best riders in the world,” added the Colombian.
The Brit sportingly applauded as Quintana crossed the line on the penultimate stage two seconds ahead of him on Saturday to extend his overall advantage to one minute and 23 seconds.
“He is the greatest rival there is at the moment,” continued Quintana. “He made me suffer at the Tour and here I have won.”
Froome will be stronger come the Tour next year, not least because he will have a far better Sky team around him than the one that accompanied him in Spain.
Yet, Quintana’s rising star, backed by one of the few teams that can compete with Sky when it comes to resources in Movistar, could be hard to stop.
Formed in the Colombian Andes, Quintana’s penchant for the mountains was developed by cycling 16 kilometres a day to and from school and to help sell fruit and vegetables in local villages to keep his family afloat.
His determination has been hardened by that difficult upbringing and even near disaster.
However, his father, Luis, spotted his potential at a young age, stretching the family funds to buy a racing bike for his young protege.
“I was in a coma in the hospital for five days. I was very lucky to survive,” he told Cycling Weekly in 2014.
“Thinking about the past helps me to realise how hard everybody worked in my home so I can be where I am now.”
“Nairo, despite his airs and graces and apparent calm, is a unique predator,” said Movistar team director Eusebio Unzue.
“He has a scary winning mentality. When he sets a goal he doesn’t doubt or stop.”
A victory passage down the Champs-Elysees in July remains the goal for Quintana to write his legend into cycling history.