Nairo crowned king of Burgos again
17 August 2014

Vuelta a Burgos (finale)

Quintana takes 2nd in Aranda -behind Saramotins (IAM), ahead of team-mate Imanol Erviti-, beats GC rival Moreno (KAT) by just three seconds; Movistar Team's season tally up to 30 before Vuelta a España

PICTURES | 2014 Vuelta a Burgos gallery

In an exciting contest, by only three seconds over his biggest rival during the week -Spaniard Dani Moreno (KAT-, Nairo Quintana completed an ideal return into competition after winning the Giro d’Italia with another overall success. The Colombian conquered the 36th Vuelta a Burgos after a 2nd place finish in the closing time trial, 12.4km in and around Aranda de Duero, with short slopes and long straights.

Despite the first time checks put the Movistar Team rider behind the Spaniard, both were equal through the first official intermediate -8’04” after just over 6km-. Nairo’s better energy management would eventually give him an extra to tackle the urban run into the finish, crossing the line in 2nd place -just 1″ behind Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM)- ahead of team-mate Imanol Erviti (3rd), whose good result, as well as Rubén Plaza’s (6th), were a crucial reference which Nairo profited from.

It’s Quintana’s seventh victory of the 2014 season -his 22nd since becoming a pro-, the second consecutive success for the Boyacá-born rider in Burgos and the 30th (just two short of 2013) for the Movistar Team, back on top of their game just six days before the Vuelta a España starts in Jerez.

REACTION | Nairo Quintana: “It’s a reall important win for me, not just for the sake of victory, but also because it gives me massive confidence before the Vuelta a España. I’m sure there are rivals quite stronger than me at the moment, but this shows I’ll be getting to the race in good condition, and provided that Alejandro and the rest will be strong again, this can only be good. I was really close to winning the stage, but my goal today was the overall, and we got it.

“I knew Dani Moreno was going to be hard to beat – he might as well be a rival in the Vuelta. I wasn’t expecting to do such a good time, either. I started off calm, confident, and I took this TT also as a test for the Vuelta. I’m leaving this region happy with how I did – good form building up before the upcoming three weeks. I really like the race: well organized, really beautiful – it’s a pleasure to win here again. I thank my wife for everything he did for me while I was getting ready for the race; this is for my daughter, Mariana, as well as my family and all colombians, since I know thew were paying attention on the TV. And of course, to my team-mates, just sensational as usual.”

Lastras, youngsters put fine end to Eneco Tour
Northbound in Limburg, Tim Wellens (LTB) Más al norte, en tierras de Limburgo, Tim Wellens (LTB) became the first Belgian rider to win the Eneco Tour, after containing the attacks by his rivals in the 183km stage seven to Sittard-Geleen, including 22 short ‘bergs’ which did not break the bunch as much as the wind did. The big selection caused by the crosswinds left two Movistar Team riders in the GC group: Jasha Sütterlin, courageous again with his late attack, and Enrique Sanz, who together with Pablo Lastras (7th across the finish) made part of a break from where Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (OPQ) jumped away for the day’s win. The great attitude by Dayer Quintana -despite his good result yesterday, he was affected by stomach problems- completed seven days of competition that leave the Movistar Team on top of the WorldTour standings.