Nairo Quintana’s stage ten crash was nothing if not dramatic.
Having misjudged a high-speed corner, the Colombian Giro d’Italia champion wrestled desperately with his handlebars before colliding with a barrier and somersaulting over his handlebars.
His leg gashed and his skinsuit torn, Quintana was down for more than a minute-and-a-half before remounting and finishing well down on Tony Martin’s race-winning time.
Despite maintaining a position in 11th overall, with his leg causing him obvious pain it was unlikely he would add the Vuelta red jersey to the maglia rosa he won at the Giro d’Italia.
Like Froome in the Tour, it was a second crash, the day after the more serious impact, that ended Quintana’s hopes.
Damage to his shoulder on today’s eleventh stage ended the Colombian’s participation, even when it seemed his role had been reduced to supporting joint team leader, Alejandro Valverde.
