His rivals will disagree, and the controversy surrounding the stage will rumble on for some time, but what can not be denied is Nairo Quintana ensured he moved into the maglia rosa in some style.
Yes, he gained time on the descent – though not so much that it was unsurpassable. But he was not the only rider in that group – nor did he initiate the break.
As Pierre Rolland and Romain Sicard (Team Europcar) and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) also descended at speed, Quintana spotted the move and went with them, with team-mate Gorka Izaguirre for company.
More significant, however, was his performance on Val Martello. Hitting the climb with Hesjedal – whose own ride should not be understated – and Rolland for company, it was Quintana who did all the riding.
Looking at ease all the way up, his constant accelerations wore down his companions while all the time increasing his overall lead. In the saddle, out of the saddle, the gradients of the road appeared to have little effect on the Colombian climbing ace, who gained time on the maglia rosa group by the pedal-stroke.
He could have eased off once he rid himself of Hesjedal’s company too, but he did not – fighting for every last second he could gain on Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quickstep). Such was his commitment, that he failed to find time even to raise his arms in celebration.
If it proves to be the stage that decides the Giro, then it is a shame it is shrouded by a cloud of controversy. But, nevertheless, it was a race-defining performance from the brightest young talent in the professional peloton and certainly one which defines him as a worthy winner.
