He came, he saw, he conquered and, in doing so, completed the first chapter of what looks set to be an extraordinary career story for Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Colombians can climb, that is nothing new, but in Quintana the Escarabajos have a new hero who could go on to surpass all others. Only the second of his compatriots to win a Grand Tour – after Luis Herrera’s 1987 Vuelta a Espana triumph – at just 24 years of age the future looks very bright for Quintana.
His performances on Val Martello, which blasted him into the maglia rosa, and on the mountain time trial highlighted his phenomenal ability. Coupled with his second place, and white jersey, from the Tour de France last year there is every reason to be optimistic about his future. But what will that future hold?
Like last year’s Giro d’Italia winner, Vincenzo Nibali, the Vuelta is, apparently, on the cards this year where he will compete against Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo). Then, surely, another shot at the Tour is in the offing? With Alejandro Valverde leading Movistar at the Tour, Quintana may have to be patient but you would not bet against the Colombian leading the charge for the maillot jaune in 2015.
