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25 Jun 13
17:14
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11 Jul 11
The first ever Colombian rider to take part in the Tour was Martin Rodriguez, or simply 'Cochise' to those who knew or admired him. He rode for Bianchi and
in 1975 he finished a credible 27th. Since 1983, there have been some 66 different Colombian riders to have ridden in the Tour, and this date can be
understood as the year the Colombians showed-up in proper representation of their South American nation. The only one to have worn the yellow jersey though, was Hugo Pena, whom had that honour for three consecutive days in 2003. There has been a Colombian rider on the start line for 27 consecutive years up until 2010, when there was no South American presence at all, apparently. Fabio Parra and Lucho Herrera started in the Tour on multiple occasions, and the former rider, Parra, has been the only Colombian rider to have finished on the podium, which he did in 1988.
But with Herrera, was shown, the potential of Colombian riders succeeding in the mountains, for he won the Mountains Classification both in 1985 and 1987. This idea, however, is no surprise to anyone who has read Matt Rendell's thrilling book, "Kings of the Mountains: How Colombia's Cycling Heroes Changed their Nation's History". Rendell, shows Colombia the way most of us know it, as a poor, 'politically-turbulent' Latin American country with a strong presence of cocaine cartels. However, what he also details and what we may not be so familiar with; are the dusty, unpaved roads in the 1950s, where the first bicycle races were being held up almost endless mountain climbs. He also contends that cycling is a national sport in Colombia.
And it is on these humble roads - which haven't changed much since the 50s - where Nairo Quintana got his start, when his father bought him a used mountain bike for about the equivalent of thirty dollars which the family had to save hard for, in order that their son wouldn't have to walk the demanding sixteen kilometres to school over the difficult terrain. And saving was no easy thing for the Quintana family as Nairo's parents are peasants from the Boyaca area.
The Vuelta de la Juventud is the nation's premiere Under-23 stage race, so when the region held the first ten stages of this race, it is not difficult to imagine that Nairo Quintana's interest in bicycle racing was aroused. After all, he had gone up and down these same lengthy, rough, eight percent gradient
roads on a daily basis.
By 2009, and after industrious assistance from his humble father, Quintana signed his first professional contract. Only one year later he was signed by
Movistar after he came to their attention by winning the 2010 Tour de l'Avenir with two stage wins under his belt. It was the first time a Colombian rider
had won this race in twenty-five years. In the following year, he confirmed his climbing abilities when he won the Mountains Classification in the Volta a
Catalunya.
In 2012, he made his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta, finishing in 36th place by way of helping his team-mate Valverde to finish 2nd. Earlier in the season
though, when riding for his own glory, he won the shortened Vuelta a Murcia and the Route du Sud; winning a stage in each race. In the former - two-stage - race he sealed victory with a very strong performance in the ITT after winning the category 1-rated mountaintop finish of the first stage. However, people really stopped to notice him when he nabbed the sixth stage (the most mountainous and the most difficult - the queen stage) of the Crtiterium du Dauphine, after attacking near the top of the Col de Joux Plane. Getting away from none other than Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins, and doing so even though Team Sky did their best to set a punishing pace aimed at dislodging any would-be attackers from the front of the race.
This year, his most impressive GC race win has been his latest. In the Vuelta al Pais Vasco's rain-sodden fourth stage, he used his excellent descending
skills to clear away from a select group which held together for the final climb, and which included Contador, Henao, and Porte. Then, in another rain-soaked
stage, the final ITT had him finishing second to Tony Martin by only seventeen seconds, but more importantly by twenty-three seconds over his closest rival
Porte who would finish second overall. Prior to the Vuelta al Pais Vasco he finished a decent fourth in the Volta a Catalunya, although his early season form
suggests a slow start with initially a seventh place in the Vuelta a Andalucia, followed by a fifteenth place finish in Paris-Nice.
With respect to Tour winners, he is physiologically closest to 2008 winner Carlos Sastre, who was a little taller but about the same weight. However, for me, the most impressive factor about him is his very light physique; for whilst he is a light rider at 61 kilograms, he has shed a further two kilograms to reach an optimum racing weight of 59 kilograms for the Tour, which is remarkably some ten kilograms lighter than Froome. This effectively means he'll be carrying ten kilograms less up the mountains than the deserving odds-on favourite in the race. And, with so many tough climbs to conquer this year, the cumulative effect of such a large weight difference, may prove to be an important factor in deciding who the fresher rider is come the deciding climb.
In an important year for the Tour, the race has been designed to appeal to natural climbers, and we see confirmation of this by the inclusion of the double
ascent of the famous l'Alpe d'Huez climb in stage eighteen.
In late March, under the eye of Movistar directeur sportif Jose Luis Arrieta, Nairo Quintana joined Alejandro Valverde on a two-day recon of the Pyreneen
mountain passes. Team selector, Eusebio Unzué, has stated that; "Our goal is to try and get Valverde on the overall podium", and that he is convinced that
Valverde has; "a Tour podium in his legs". About Nairo Quintana, he has stated that he doesn't want to put any pressure on him, instead being cautious with him by allowing him to grow and develop -- essentially allowing him to use this race to gain experience and learn.
But let's consider that Valverde is no spring chicken, in fact he's an old-campaigner at 33 years-of-age, and across the board he is longer in the market
than Nairo Quintana. So, it's not beyond reasonable thinking that after Valverde's 20th place finish last year in the Tour, it may be the case that Nairo
Quintana is allowed more freedom than Unzue is willing to disclose, and that the Pyreneen recon was more about Valverde imparting some wisdom on the
promising young rider, who has dreamed about racing in the world's greatest bicycle race, and with no pressure on him as a team leader, in fact no pressure at all, Nairo Quintana may just offer us a story worthy of our post-Lance-era reality -- a genuine Cinderella Story!
27/1 EACH-WAY is well worth some interest.
Cheers,
SP
in 1975 he finished a credible 27th. Since 1983, there have been some 66 different Colombian riders to have ridden in the Tour, and this date can be
understood as the year the Colombians showed-up in proper representation of their South American nation. The only one to have worn the yellow jersey though, was Hugo Pena, whom had that honour for three consecutive days in 2003. There has been a Colombian rider on the start line for 27 consecutive years up until 2010, when there was no South American presence at all, apparently. Fabio Parra and Lucho Herrera started in the Tour on multiple occasions, and the former rider, Parra, has been the only Colombian rider to have finished on the podium, which he did in 1988.
But with Herrera, was shown, the potential of Colombian riders succeeding in the mountains, for he won the Mountains Classification both in 1985 and 1987. This idea, however, is no surprise to anyone who has read Matt Rendell's thrilling book, "Kings of the Mountains: How Colombia's Cycling Heroes Changed their Nation's History". Rendell, shows Colombia the way most of us know it, as a poor, 'politically-turbulent' Latin American country with a strong presence of cocaine cartels. However, what he also details and what we may not be so familiar with; are the dusty, unpaved roads in the 1950s, where the first bicycle races were being held up almost endless mountain climbs. He also contends that cycling is a national sport in Colombia.
And it is on these humble roads - which haven't changed much since the 50s - where Nairo Quintana got his start, when his father bought him a used mountain bike for about the equivalent of thirty dollars which the family had to save hard for, in order that their son wouldn't have to walk the demanding sixteen kilometres to school over the difficult terrain. And saving was no easy thing for the Quintana family as Nairo's parents are peasants from the Boyaca area.
The Vuelta de la Juventud is the nation's premiere Under-23 stage race, so when the region held the first ten stages of this race, it is not difficult to imagine that Nairo Quintana's interest in bicycle racing was aroused. After all, he had gone up and down these same lengthy, rough, eight percent gradient
roads on a daily basis.
By 2009, and after industrious assistance from his humble father, Quintana signed his first professional contract. Only one year later he was signed by
Movistar after he came to their attention by winning the 2010 Tour de l'Avenir with two stage wins under his belt. It was the first time a Colombian rider
had won this race in twenty-five years. In the following year, he confirmed his climbing abilities when he won the Mountains Classification in the Volta a
Catalunya.
In 2012, he made his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta, finishing in 36th place by way of helping his team-mate Valverde to finish 2nd. Earlier in the season
though, when riding for his own glory, he won the shortened Vuelta a Murcia and the Route du Sud; winning a stage in each race. In the former - two-stage - race he sealed victory with a very strong performance in the ITT after winning the category 1-rated mountaintop finish of the first stage. However, people really stopped to notice him when he nabbed the sixth stage (the most mountainous and the most difficult - the queen stage) of the Crtiterium du Dauphine, after attacking near the top of the Col de Joux Plane. Getting away from none other than Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins, and doing so even though Team Sky did their best to set a punishing pace aimed at dislodging any would-be attackers from the front of the race.
This year, his most impressive GC race win has been his latest. In the Vuelta al Pais Vasco's rain-sodden fourth stage, he used his excellent descending
skills to clear away from a select group which held together for the final climb, and which included Contador, Henao, and Porte. Then, in another rain-soaked
stage, the final ITT had him finishing second to Tony Martin by only seventeen seconds, but more importantly by twenty-three seconds over his closest rival
Porte who would finish second overall. Prior to the Vuelta al Pais Vasco he finished a decent fourth in the Volta a Catalunya, although his early season form
suggests a slow start with initially a seventh place in the Vuelta a Andalucia, followed by a fifteenth place finish in Paris-Nice.
With respect to Tour winners, he is physiologically closest to 2008 winner Carlos Sastre, who was a little taller but about the same weight. However, for me, the most impressive factor about him is his very light physique; for whilst he is a light rider at 61 kilograms, he has shed a further two kilograms to reach an optimum racing weight of 59 kilograms for the Tour, which is remarkably some ten kilograms lighter than Froome. This effectively means he'll be carrying ten kilograms less up the mountains than the deserving odds-on favourite in the race. And, with so many tough climbs to conquer this year, the cumulative effect of such a large weight difference, may prove to be an important factor in deciding who the fresher rider is come the deciding climb.
In an important year for the Tour, the race has been designed to appeal to natural climbers, and we see confirmation of this by the inclusion of the double
ascent of the famous l'Alpe d'Huez climb in stage eighteen.
In late March, under the eye of Movistar directeur sportif Jose Luis Arrieta, Nairo Quintana joined Alejandro Valverde on a two-day recon of the Pyreneen
mountain passes. Team selector, Eusebio Unzué, has stated that; "Our goal is to try and get Valverde on the overall podium", and that he is convinced that
Valverde has; "a Tour podium in his legs". About Nairo Quintana, he has stated that he doesn't want to put any pressure on him, instead being cautious with him by allowing him to grow and develop -- essentially allowing him to use this race to gain experience and learn.
But let's consider that Valverde is no spring chicken, in fact he's an old-campaigner at 33 years-of-age, and across the board he is longer in the market
than Nairo Quintana. So, it's not beyond reasonable thinking that after Valverde's 20th place finish last year in the Tour, it may be the case that Nairo
Quintana is allowed more freedom than Unzue is willing to disclose, and that the Pyreneen recon was more about Valverde imparting some wisdom on the
promising young rider, who has dreamed about racing in the world's greatest bicycle race, and with no pressure on him as a team leader, in fact no pressure at all, Nairo Quintana may just offer us a story worthy of our post-Lance-era reality -- a genuine Cinderella Story!
27/1 EACH-WAY is well worth some interest.
Cheers,
SP
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excellent write up
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Thanks. Took me about two weeks, but was lots of fun.
 SP. |
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I enjoyed that. Really loved his performances in Catalunya and Pais Vasco this year.
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Thanks Tavaris.
One of the things which actually concerned me was perhaps a repeat likelihood of the Froome/Wiggins situation present in the Sky team of the Tour last year. At the Grand Depart presentation teams' media conference, Unzue put those concersn to rest for me; when speaking about Quintana, he said: "We’re not going to put the brake on him if he shows he’s got the form and the confidence to make an impact. The main goal, though, is to give Nairo some base experience of the Tour, so that he can see what the race is all about and has something to work on, so that he can come back here in future with bigger ambitions." It's clear leash and brake mean the same things.  He's free to go if good enough, and hungry enough. Hungry, yes; good, yes; needs the patience which usually comes from experience, but which can come from instinct.Cheers, SP |
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for sure has the potential to win grand tours, really interested in his showing here
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This kid has a huge future. pity he was used as cannon fodder for Valverde today
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he will be ahead of Valverde in GC in the end
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I cannot believe someone just put up 1K for the Cinderella man in the ITT on Wednesday.
 Finished 3rd to Talansky and Porte in the 9.6km, 7th stage ITT in Paris-Nice, earlier in the season. Then beat Porte (4th) to finish 2nd to Tony Martin in the ITT, over a hilly 24 km, stage 6 course in the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. Heaps of room for improvement -- the young man is constantly learning, and you can see how comfortable he is when alone.  That's it, I don't need to have another bet tomorrow -- this is going to be fun.  Cheers, SP |
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Anyone agree that the Cinderella man's price is too big at 35/1 on here? It's not mine, I'm not laying, in fact closely considering topping-up, on account of some more -- even-handed and patient this time -- brilliance on one of these suitable Alps stages -- particularly the ITT.
Where the graph line is hitting low on his 'betting summary', was when he was riding away from Froome group to the mountaintop finish in Ax 3 Domaines of stage 8. I think the market is quite scared of him and will move quickly if he rises to expectations, resulting in this price being halved. Cheers, SP |
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To put it into a different question and observation: Even though Quintana is down by over a minute to Contador, does anyone think he isn't riding better than Bertie with more likelihood of stronger riding in the Alps, to be just two points out in price?
Or is this a case of my rose-tinted glasses coming out?  SP. |
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he certainly has a better Chance to finish on the podium than AC, if he gets freedom to attack for a stage win e.g. last 5k on Ventoux
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Surely Movistar are going to let Quintana off the lead now?
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Didn't have much doubt they wouldn't Clay -- but this seals it, for sure. I'd think they're still pretty optimistic about their chances, but I'm just wondering if they can impart the necessary words to keep him relaxed and patient. If he can be patient, then on a suitable stage, I think he can remain true to the Cinderella story.
Cheers, SP |
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Think Valverde working with Quintana is really gonna light up the Alpine stages, fireworks ahead, great stuff. Quintana for me is the one rider that could take chunks out of Froome on a good day.
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I agree budd, I think there's not much doubt about that really -- it's just whether Valverde can become the experienced guide for him, advising and keeping him calm and relaxed, and essentially imparting the wisdom of experience which Quintana needs, to allow his natural climbing to work for him in a very measured or even manner. He does that, and Quintana lights the fireworks in a manner suited for a folktale nearing its amazing finish.
Cheers, SP |
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SP - whoever is deciding the Movistar tactics wants to have a good look at himself. They chase on the flat roads today, knowing Sky will still be relatively fresh at the bottom on the Ventoux.
And then Quintana attacks almost 13km from the summit despite Chris, Richie and Peter still being there for Sky. After being caught he then allows himself to be talked into helping Froome on the front. Was no one shouting in his ear ffs? He could have sat on Froome's wheel and tried to out sprint him. And now he claims to be absolutely knackered and spent. No wonder. So why oh why didn't Movistar say to Quintana that Sky will drive it from the front at the bottom of the climb and just follow Froome's wheel wherever he goes. Similar to the ride Bertie produced today except Bertie didn't have the legs to carry it out. I'm sure Quintana would have been able to. This kid has lots of potential but tactically it's all over the place |
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I agree with you entirely, Clay.
Movistar didn't need to be telegraphing their intentions by setting the hectic pace on the flat, for a start. The 100th edition of the Tour and Froome is in Yellow, of course Sky would've been hungry to get him to the start of the climb in time to cover the breakaway (which only had two likely opportunists in Fedrigo and Roy) and give him the best opportunity to win and make it a special one. Like you, I don't understand the early attack, especially when it didn't work the first time in the Pyrenees, and whilst this time it was the final climb with no downhill -- why not just take Froome's wheel as you suggest? As far being talked into helping Froome keep the break than I don't think we can square much blame at him -- he comes across as a very genuine -- and almost -- innocent young man, like he is from an age where people still cared for one another, deeply. And, I guess he would've respected the Yellow jersey in what must've been a very challenging period of riding, and perhaps he ignored the shouts, or the shouts weren't being made in order to not distract him? I think trying to out-sprint Froome would have been a tough ask from the evidence of that savage kick we witnessed from Froome, however he might definitely have been stronger in the finale if a variety of things were more tactically thought-out for him, that's for sure. But let us remember that he is young and always learning, and I don't think he is stupid, so he'll hopefully do his own research in asking question of himself and the team's tactics and strategy, and perhaps if he finds the right answers he'll only get better for the exercise of having done so. Therefore, if he can marry the potential with an enquiring mind, then it'll be very exciting watching him develop in the top-flight ranks. And yes, no trainer for him after the finish, much prefers a lie down, or is it a siesta in Colombia? Cheers, SP |
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Brilliant tip SP and your man did you proud. He is going to be very tough to beat next year. He now knows he has Froome cooked in the mountains
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Thank you Clay, that is very good of you to say.
Yes, Quintana has done very well to win the White jersey and the Polkadot jersey -- and whilst I felt far too guilty to have layed off much of my green on him in the GC market, I did feel like I was riding with him, and perhap even though I've never met him, I might think I was one of the people he thanked when he thanked his friends and fans at the finish today. Obviously he has learnt much through gaining experience, and perhaps next year he might be a lot closer to Froome for much longer, leaving it to one late decisive stage to make his bid for victory. But maybe Sky will have Wiggins back from injury by then also, so the difficulty of the task might be made much more challenging. One thing is for sure, whilst we weren't treated to the Cinderella story in its conclusion in this the 100th Tour, we did get a snippet of its existence -- more than a trailer, even. And yes, it was a lot of fun to witness such a young, humble, loyal, and genuine rider realise his dream of riding in the Tour. Cheers, SP |
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Today was the guide for Quintana. The kid is learning. He sat and was patient and moved his move late. I suspect if he had done this on the Ventoux he would have won the Stage. Froome has twice, recently, went bisbo in front and tried to sprint clear and each time the kid has not buckled and just calmly ridden back onto Froome's wheel.
Also Purito was excellent today considering he cut out most of the pace |
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Yes Clay, agree entirely, excellent observational account of the situations. In relation to Quintana, it is so clear how that style of riding suits him, although he was in his element on the steep gradient. He'll eventually go to the tapes and review, and make those conclusions we've observed -- a guide, yes, certainly!
I think we expected that from Purito today, after both witnessing his improving form in the third week. An unflappable ride in such excellent company, today. He gave a very honest account of himself. Do you think he'll ride the Vuelta? SP. |
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Purito is riding it but not sure about Quintana. I hope he doesn't to be honest. Froome had a fairly horrible experience in Spain last year, Wiggins the year before.
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I wonder if Kruzeger will lead Saxo in the Vuelta?
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