Euzebio Unzue doesn't want to change the magic formula, and so Nairo Quintana will test himself in two Flemish semi-classics as a part of preparations towards the Tour de France cobbled stage, just as Alejandro Valverde did last year.

According to Cycling Weekly, tiny Colombian will line up at the Dwars Door Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke in 2015 and without any surprise those events will serve him as first experiences with racing on pave. Should he survive these tests, Quintana will do reconnaissance of cobbled sectors included in this year's Tour de France route, supported by his more experienced Movistar team-mates.

While one can hardly find a route which would't suit Valverde, and thus it came as no surprise that the 34-year old Spaniard did very well on cobbles last season – finishing 36th in Dwars Door Vlaanderen and 63rd in E3 Harelbeke, it seems even more essential for younger Movistar leader to gain this kind of experience before tackling cobbled in the Tour. Quintana's climbing abilities are unquestionable and he has already proved himself as a Grand Tour captain, but Colombians rarely are exceptional bike-handlers and last year's Giro d'Italia champion is no exception.

Stage including pave sectors will feature in the Tour de France for a second year in a row, what was criticized not only by some general classification contenders but also some cobbled classics specialists in likes of Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quick Step). Race director Christian Prudhomme defended this idea, claiming that their main ambition is to create an image of the Tour champion being not only a fantastic climber or time trial specialist, but versatile rider capable of emphasizing his supriority in various circumstances. He also pointed out that as the event is expected to pay tribute to rich history of cycling in France, Northern classics on cobbles are an essential part of it and thus shouldn't be avoided.

“If we go past them, we won’t miss them out,” course director Tierry Gouvenou explained to Cycle Sport in late 2014. “I think it brings something new to the Tour, another image.

“The riders are aggrandised; when they finish that stage, when they crossed the line, they looked legendary in the eyes of the spectators.”