Video / TDF preview
Colombian superstar from Movistar Team reflects on successful 'Grande Boucle' debut in 2013, brilliant effort to runner-up in 2015 - his second of three podiums in the race.
NAIRO QUINTANA PROFILE > Results, pictures and TDF career
– What the TDF means for him
“For me, it’s the most important race in the world. It’s a dream I have from some years ago, when we realized we could win it. We’ve been close a few times, and we keep working hard to make that yellow dream come true.”
– The first Tour
“I remember well my first Tour, which started from Corsica. I had already completed my first Vuelta a España a year before, but the field of competitors I saw at the start that year was incredible. I couldn’t believe there could be so many talented riders, and I was worried because it was my first time there. It was aggressive, fast racing – but as days went by, all of that happened: winning a stage, finishing on the podium. Those are some of the best memories from my career.”
– Mont Ventoux 2013
“It was one of the most difficult days for me. Pure agony, yet a good taste for me, because I was building on what would end up being a second place overall in the Tour. I knew there that the effort had been worth it.”
– Annecy / Semnoz
“I just cried like a little child at the top of the climb. I was shaking as I was heading to the press conference. I didn’t know what to say, what to do, I was overwhelmed by the emotions. I knew that my life had changed that day.”
– Champs-Élysées 2013
“I enjoyed it much, but wasn’t ready for such emotions and it makes you a bit confused inside, but it was still really beautiful.”
– Alpe d’Huez 2015
“It was all-in, an attack where we put all of our energy to play, together with the rest of the team. We came close to overall success, but we had lost time during the first week and we paid that price. That’s life – at least, we finished very proud of our efforts, happy about the whole team, and I got back to the Paris podium.”
– Bad moments
“You’re always able extract something positive from those bad moments. When you’ve got good legs, you feel like you can do everything and even some more, but when you’re going through rough moments, you reflect on what you’ve done in the past and put on a more courageous ride. You see situations from a different point of view, and it helps you plan differently, change your strategy and become more confident about what you can get when you’re in good condition.”