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.
“This GC podium is something I've been chasing all my life, and I finally got it today. It took so much, lots of suffering. In this moment, I remember my family, my four kids, the staff and team-mates from Movistar, everyone who supported me through my career," he said.
"It's a wonderful taste to have finished third, since we gave all that we had. We jumped on the previous climb, also tried to leave Froome behind on previous stages... we just left everything on the road. I also sacrified myself for Nairo, helped him out wherever it was needed - we came for the overall title and it went away by just over a minute. Hats off to Froome - he managed the race well and was stronger.
"Our overview is exceptional: we're jumping onto the podium as teams' classification winners and Nairo and I will be second and third overall - what else you can ask for?"
Hijiri ODA 26 years | today |
En HUANG 36 years | today |
Chris HARPER 30 years | today |
Vladyslav MAKOGON 29 years | today |
Andrew TALANSKY 36 years | today |
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