Nairo Quintana says that he is in favour of the idea of having Alejandro Valverde at his side in the next Tour de France and is proud of being supported by the Spaniard in the French race, claiming that the two are stronger together. Second in the 2013 edition, he is pleased with the course with its mountainous profil and no long time trial.

Nairo Quintana sees lots of benefits in his partnership with Alejandro Valverde in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.

"We have always gotten along very well. Since I arrived in the team, we have had a good relationship," he said in a press conference held in Pamplona. "And the time has come when I am reasy to take this step. For others it would be a difficult position, but for us it is a position that favors us. When we suggested the idea, Eusebio (Unzue) already had in mind that we would be stronger together than alone."

"The truth is I'm very happy and I am grateful to Alejandro for the support he will give me. It is a pride to be supported by someone who was my idol when I was a kid, and still is. Surely, he'll do a good Tour," he added.

Quintana made no secret of the fact the route of the 2015 Tour suits him down to the ground.

"Apart from the frist week with the team time trial, wind and other factors, I think the rest of the Tour will be less difficult. It is a Tour that has lots of mountains which I like and which has taken my attention. It's also good for Alejandro and together we will try to take advantage of it.

Asked about his goals in oter races, he was reluctant to give too much information.

"The Tour is always on my mind. In other races, it seems that we always have to win and do well. The Volta a Catalunya, for example, is a race I have liked in the last two years and I have been very close there."

The winner of the 2014 Giro d'Italia underlined the importance of the loyal group he has around him at Movistar.

"I have always worked with a group of mates, Jonathan (Castroviejo), Amador, Malori, Ventoso... They are teammates who have always given me great confidence and have been there when I needed them. It makes things easier. In that way we could win the Giro. It was not easy. We went through many situations that we value and then tried to apply the same plan in the Vuelta a Espana. Unfortunately, the two crashes sent me home. Otherwise, I think it would have been close," he said.