This was the most exciting piece of racing I've ever seen from Quintana.
Would have won PN in 2020, except for an unfortunate mechanical in the finish of a stage which cost him a minute.Should light up Paris Nice
I can understand that . . . But if I had that attitude about the day ahead when I get up in the morning then, well, I probably wouldn’t get up in the morning!I'm disappointed to know he won't race against Remco until the Vuelta. Can't wait.
Definitely looking forward to what he’ll show on Turini and Eze.Quintana is always at his best in the final week. The final week of Paris-Nice starts today.
I reckon he will drop Roglic. Won't be enough for GC win, but he will assert himself as TOP3 GC guy. But later in the year he will take what was bound to happen since 2013, yellow jersey on his shoulders in Champs-Élysées. And join elite group of guys winning all 3 GTs.Definitely looking forward to what he’ll show on Turini and Eze.
Maybe if Pogačar or Roglič gift him one of those that the winners always sign at the end of the stage in ParisI reckon he will drop Roglic. Won't be enough for GC win, but he will assert himself as TOP3 GC guy. But later in the year he will take what was bound to happen since 2013, yellow jersey on his shoulders in Champs-Élysées. And join elite group of guys winning all 3 GTs.
I think it’s been pretty apparent for several years that his recovery isn’t there the way it was in his prime. After a hard day yesterday (for everyone) he didn’t have much today, although it’s also a power climb so there’s that. Makes sense then to focus on stage wins in the Tour, although I hope it’s not the “get in the early break” type of stage hunting. I’d rather see him matched against the best climbers and see if he can win when given some leeway to get away.Not quite the podium but a decent effort.
The top end isn't quite there against the best fields these days but he's hanging tough. Don't have many big hopes for the season really, but a stage win at the tour and a decent Vuelta GC effort would be nice.
Agree. Sometimes the tyranny of the Tour is too heavy and unbalanced. Quintana could have gone to the Giro for GC and Tour for stage hunting. It would have made sense with the routes, contenders and his spring form.Looking at the race and the contentders. If Arkea truly was all about promoting they should have sent Quintana to the Giro d'Italia with full climbing support. At least could have fought for a podium spot there.
Big mistake IMHO!
Arkea probably relies on Quintana riding a stronger Vuelta after the Tour like in 2016. The route basically has 1 stage that favors him though (Sierra Nevada).Agree. Sometimes the tyranny of the Tour is too heavy and unbalanced. Quintana could have gone to the Giro for GC and Tour for stage hunting. It would have made sense with the routes, contenders and his spring form.
Route d'Occitanie in June as a warm up for the Tour de France.Any idea on Nairo's next race?
Nacer with a full train at the Tour and Nario with Dayer, Anacona and Wawa at the Giro. Wawa goes stagehunting/KoM at the Tour after the Giro and Nairo goes Giro-Vuelta.Arkea probably relies on Quintana riding a stronger Vuelta after the Tour like in 2016. The route basically has 1 stage that favors him though (Sierra Nevada).
Honestly I would have given Bouhanni a full leadout train at the Tour. He wasn't too far away last year and could snatch a victory against Jakobsen and Philipsen then.