Maybe no country has enjoyed so many results and remarkable successes like Colombia in the recent years. Nevertheless, any time a new page in the Colombian cycling history is written, the enthusiasm of a whole Country lights up in a unique way, and today, March 17th, at the end of the 50th Tirreno-Adriatico final stage, Colombia could celebrate no less than 3 leader’s jersey worn by two of its representatives, and two men on the final podium: behind winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Rigoberto Uran (Etixx-Quickstep) secured the third place, while Bauke Mollema (Trek) completed the podium in second.

If Quintana, winner of the blue jersey as well as of the best youngster’s white jersey, is now much more than a prospect on the World cycling stage, the green jersey won by Carlos Julian Quintero was enjoyed in a totally different way. The one achieved by Quintero is the success of a real fighter, a guy who used his grit and professionalism to push his limits in each of his four seasons at Colombia-Coldeportes, establishing himself as a key team-rider while standing up to pursue personal goals when the chance arises. And this time, he did it successfully.

“After yesterday’s tension, today was a way quieter day,” Quintero said, after finishing 88th in the individual time trial (San Benedetto del Tronto-San Benedetto del Tronto, 10 km) won by Fabian Cancellara (Trek) ahead of Adriano Malori (Movistar) and Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky). “Today, I had more time to enjoy the people smiling at me, congratulating or calling my name, and the words of so many people from the cycling world. Taking home a jersey from an international event like Tirreno-Adriatico, with such prestigious opponents, is something really big. To me, it is a reward for all the work done, all the training hours, all the sacrifices a professional athlete has to make: now, more than ever, I am sure it is really worth it. My special thanks go to my whole team, riders, sports director and staff, who backed me up at their best during my whole adventure.”

“After this display, we are waiting with greater confidence the news on Vuelta a Espana’s wild cards, but more important tests are waiting for us already this week, with Sunday’s Milan-Sanremo and the Volta a Catalunya starting on Monday,” Quintero stated.

“Tirreno-Adriatico is among the hardest races of the international calendar, not only for its routes or the level of its participants, but because it comes just ahead of the Classics’ season: all the strongest riders are nearing the top form, and that clearly showed over this week,” Sports Director Oscar Pellicioli said. “We were motivated to honor this race and the invitation RCS Sport awarded to us, and the jersey Carlos is wearing shows that we have managed to do just that. We consider it a team result, since everyone contibuted to take and defend the jersey, particularly in the hardest stages. Anyway, Carlos Quintero himself deserves a special praise: the green jersey is a deserved reward for his all-year-round commitment.”

Team Colombia-Coldeportes will return to action on Thursday March 19th at GP Nobili Rubinetterie, in Italy, ahead of Sunday March 22nd Milano-Sanremo, the second World Tour fixture of the season for the Escarabajos.