Tour of Spain 2019: the real options that Nairo Quintana has of winning the race – Cycling – Sports

Nairo Quintana returned the soul to the body. To Colombians, too. In a long escape consisting of more than 30 cyclists, the boyacense, who left in the seventh box 7 minutes 43 seconds from the solid leader, Primoz Roglic, and finished the fraction in the second place of the general and 2 minutes 24 seconds from the Slovenian , recovering the options of winning the Tour of Spain.

That tremendous day, between Aranda de Duero and Guadalajara, over 219.6 kilometers and won by Philippe Gilbert, it served Nairo to get into the fight again.

Approaching the podium was ideal. What the Movistar was looking for was a surprise like that and it was fulfilled. According to Quintana, what happened was not in the plans, there was another strategy, but everything came out. Having two of his runners (Alejandro Valverde is third) with options to win the competition is very significant.

While Roglic takes ‘chest blows’ for not having been aware of the escape, Nairo allied himself with the wind and caused a catastrophe and heads for the fight for his second title, after 2016. You can win? TIME consulted several experts who analyzed the race.

“What Nairo did does not say much. It's still dangerous and what he did on day 17 was good for him and Movistar, that handled the strategy very well, ”Óscar Freire, three-time world road champion, told EL TIEMPO.

Nairo's effort can take its toll. This Thursday the day will be between Colmenar Viejo and Becerril de la Sierra, 177.5 kilometers, with four first-class mountain passes, the last 23 kilometers from the goal.

“Roglic has performed well on the mountain. In the time trial he took the differences, but going up he has defended himself and has even taken time for his rivals. The issue here is that Nairo risked and that's good for the race, which got more exciting, ” Freire added.

When the difference between the Nairo and Roglic lots was more than five minutes, Movistar moved back, a move that was criticized, but it had the effect of leaving Roglic without coequiperos, who saw himself alone.

Astana seized the group, gave way and helped in the persecution.

“Roglic is strong, but Nairo is seen to have recovered from the cold. Surely he will try, just like Lopez. There are stages in which differences can be marked. Everything remains to be seen, ”said Hernando Bohorquez, Astana cyclist.

It was criticized that the Kazakh team pulled the group, which became Roglic's circumstantial ally, but Bohorquez explained the maneuver. “They could not stand still. Nairo was dangerous, he reached second place overall and it passed over the rest, less than Roglic, that's why he stepped in search of a discount, ”said Bohorquez.

And now?
This Friday the stage is flat, but Saturday's menu is interesting: 190 kilometers, six mountain awards, two second, two first and two third category, the last one in the goal.

“Nairo has shown that he is in good condition. He leaves the Movistar and wants to go through the big door. He won again options to go for the title ”, said Gianni Bugno, champion of the Tour of Italy 1990 and twice the Tour podium.

“The issue is that the 2 minutes 24 seconds that Roglic has on him is a lot. It is a good difference. Of course something can be done, but Slovenian looks strong. Movistar has two cards and they are the ones who should move the race, ”said the Italian exciclista.

Roglic, apart from Quintana, was another of the winners of the day. Why?

He benefited from the work of others, he went to the wheel, but he won because not only is he still a leader, but before this day he had Valverde at 2 min 48 s but after the fraction of Wednesday the second is Quintana at 2 min 24 s., that is, he only lost with the Colombian, with the rest he kept the differences, on his bad day, after a tremendous mistake and being alone, without Your teammates.

And, from ñapa, López was penalized with 10 seconds. According to the judges, the Colombian helped himself with his partner, Jakob Fuglsang, to perform a “flight relay”: one takes the other's hand or arm, who drives it forward.

The Turn took another face. Nairo came to the podium and although Roglic is comfortable, what happened yesterday at a stage that invited yawning indicates that nothing is written.

Lisandro Rengifo
EL Tiempo editor
@lisandroabel