First 2018 podium finish for Colombian star

Good sprint by Movistar Team leader at first hilltop finish in Colombia Oro y Paz, following good teamwork to keep him protected, out of pressure (Pedrero into the break) before the decisive kilometers.

In an explosive finish, less suited to his pure climbing abilities, Nairo Quintana showed good condition to get into a provisional GC podium in the Colombia Oro y Paz race, whose first climbs finally showed up on Friday’s stage four route (149.5km) from Buga to the Alto Boquerón / Mirador El Tambo.

The Movistar Team leader took 3rd at the uphill sprint, behind specialists Julian Alaphilippe (QST) and Sergio Henao (SKY), following good overall attitude from the Telefónica-backed squad, with Antonio Pedrero into the break until the final 20km and all other team-mates -De la Parte pushing from the bottom of the last climb; Anacona, Carapaz and Dayer Quintana staying close to their team leader until well after the ‘flamme rouge’- always keeping attention to the needs of the ‘boyacense’.

https://www.facebook.com/movistarteam/videos/2058648784153093/

Nearly thirty riders still remain into GC contention –Carapaz even took 15th today, 11″ behind Nairo-, which means that the race is wide open before the weekend’s two closing mountain-top finishes. Saturday will see the peloton tackle a difficult, ending slope in Salento (just over 2km at around 8% avg. gradient), prelude of the Queen, decisive stage to Manizales on Sunday, where Nairo Quintana will seek to be a protagonist again.

Picture (c): Dario Belingheri / BettiniPhoto.net – Video (c): Señal Colombia Deportes