The final stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali did not bring to Carlos Julian Quintero and Team Colombia-Coldeportesthe news they had been hoping for, but the 29-year-old’s determination helped him to grab an overall top-10 placement in the Italian stage race, in spite of a tough final day. South-African Louis Mentjes (MTN-Qhubeka) jumped away of anyone else on the last climbs of the 152 km stage from Pavullo to Roccapelago, taking the stage and the overall win. Damiano Cunego (Nippo-Fantini) and Davide Rebellin (CCC-Sprandi) took the other two steps of the day’s podium, while overnight leader Ben Swift (Team Sky) saw the overall win disappear for just two seconds.

The decisive moment for Quintero came on the penultimate climb of the day, with MTN-Qhubeka forcing to set up Mentjes’ attack, and Primoz Roglic (Adria Mobil) still in the lead from the morning breakaway, started along with Australian Samuel Spokes (Drapac). On the steep ramps (up to 18% gradient), the South-African was chased by a duo made of Damiano Cunego and Davide Rebellin, while Quintero took charge of leading another chasing group, also behind of leader Ben Swift.

His effort would prove costly later on: “Carlos cared so much for this opportunity, and while not feeling great he still tried to take responsibility on himself on a very hard climb,” Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi told. “He paid the effort in the last 500 metres of the climb, when he got slightly dropped, and he had to chase from there until the finish. He probably tried to do too much, and that backfired to him.” 

Quintero finished 19th on the day, 3.30 behind Mentjes.

Team Colombia-Coldeportes, that took the start without Miguel Angel Rubiano due to the consequences of yesterday’s crash,  regrets the missed opportunity to step on the final podium, while producing a good overall team performance:

“I wish to praise Carlos and the whole team for their racing conduct through four days: even after a tough day, a top-10 placement was well deserved,” Tebaldi said.

Team Colombia-Coldeportes will be back in the action on April 3rd, in France, at Route Adelie de Vitre.