Fifth, 2’40” behind Uran
Pre-race favourite Nairo Quintana’s Giro d’Italia got off to a slow start as Movistar finished eighth in the team time trial, 55 seconds behind Orica-GreenEDGE.
The Colombian sensation has been playing catch up since then and, hindered by a cold and a crash, has done well to still be very much in the hunt with one week remaining. The 24-year-old still has two minutes and 40 seconds to make up on compatriot Uran – but Quintana’s GC hopes are certainly not over.
At the Tour de France, Quintana was almost two-and-a-half minutes behind second-placed Alberto Contador with just four stages remaining but went on to earn the second spot on the podium, the white jersey and the King of the Mountains jersey.
Here at the Giro, if Quintana can peak in the final week in similar fashion, it’s more than just second place up for grabs. The Colombian is looking stronger by the day and that is ominous for his rivals.
