The Movistar Team rounded off a magnificent 2015 Tour de France in the only way all its members can do it: with courage, composure and offering their individual and collective best. Nairo Quintana finished just 18" away from conquering the most famous climb in modern cycling, Alpe d'Huez (Hors Categorie), as 2nd over the line behind Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).

This was after a 110km journey with the previous, grueling climb of Croix de Fer (also HC), which the riders directed by Eusebio Unzué tackled on the attack, ready to win and lose everything. A move from Alejandro Valverde, who started the day as third in the overall standings, just over 60 kilometers from the finish line, was later seconded by Quintana, both trying to blow up Chris Froome's Sky train.

The Briton had to respond by himself, together with Vincenzo Nibali (AST), to get through the emergency and let the peloton regroup. Winner Anacona, already active in the early attacks, went on the move again, pursuing a four-man attempt up the road and ammassing a two-minute advantage that would take him into perfect position before the 14km Alpe d'Huez climb. There, the Blues were the most courageous again.

Three accelerations from Quintana, almost consecutive, and a final attack from Valverde forced Froome to limit losses, eventually 1'20" to Quintana at the finish, and intelligently manage his domestiques to stop the 'bleeding'. While Valverde got back to the race leader after pushing for Quintana, the Cómbita-based rider found another excellent piece of support from Anacona, rushing through the central part of the ascent, to later attack in search for Pinot, whom he would ultimately not chase down.

Nevertheless, the effort was really worth it: Quintana, who will be crowned tomorrow as best young rider in the Tour for the second time in his career barring any misfortune, all but confirmed his second place on the podium - 1'12" behind Froome. In turn, Valverde burst into tears by claiming an almost certain 3rd in the GC (+5'25"), which completes a career full of success. With Anacona in 8th spot, the Movistar riders confirmed their teams' overall victory, almost one hour ahead of Team Sky.

“We fought all that we could to try and gain the time we had lost on Froome, with an attacking strategy from far, far away from the finish, trying to isolate him on the Croix de Fer, yet we couldn't open a big gap and we had to give all on the final ascent. Winner Anacona did an amazing job for me, riding strongly and steady through most of Alpe d'Huez, and the whole team helped me much from the very start, but it wasn't to be today,” Nairo Quintana said.

"We had a strategy. We thought about attacking up to the col de la Croix-de-Fer but it didn't work out. Plan B was to do it at L'Alpe d'Huez and we took some time [over Chris Froome] but not enough. I saw the yellow jersey was far behind but he fought till the end to keep the lead. He and his team defended very well.

"I was only looking for the overall victory, not for the stage win. I've given everything I had in the past two stages but it didn't work out. I'm satisfied because we have never stopped trying to win the Tour. I still keep my yellow dream but for the coming years.

“To be second is not bad. It is two years since I was there and this year I started from zero, with a different position, and also I got another good result. I have confirmed that what I did before wasn’t a fluke and I have reiterated my capabilities. I am a little sad but not frustrated.

“I lost the Tour in the first week in Holland, when we gave away this minute and a half in Zeeland. The team were caught in a crash that left us unprotected in the wind.

"I leave the race satisfied. We lost the Tour in the first week, but I'll stay content after all good things we found during this race: I've got an excellent team, which always took care of me and supported me, and we all are happy with this.

"Alejandro? I'm so, so excited about his podium finish. It's something he searched for during most of his sporting career, and he got it today. There are many people who don't know the kind of rider he is: he wins from January to December, no matter if it's a classic, a one-week race... and even podium finishes in three-week tours. It's already a decade since he's on top of the sport and many people don't value enough what he does, and criticized him. He's a superb rider and a wonderful person."