Nairo Quintana was the only man anywhere close to Alberto Contador at Tirreno-Adriatico last year, when the Colombian climbing sensation finished second overall ahead of his maiden Grand Tour triumph at the Giro d’Italia in May.

Quintana has had a steady start to the 2015 campaign, settling for third overall at the season-opening Tour de San Luis, a race he won last year, and missing a showdown with Contador and Froome at the Ruta del Sol after crashing at the Colombian national road race championships.

The back-end of Quintana’s 2014 campaign was also disrupted by a crash at the Vuelta a Espana, and his meeting with the tarmac during the race’s individual time trial put paid to his hopes of a Giro-Vuelta double and also denied him the chance to prove himself against Contador, the eventual champion, and Froome.

Having worked hard over the winter to get back fit again, this is Quintana’s opportunity to show why he is considered the sport’s hottest property when it comes to Grand Tour potential.

All eyes will be firmly fixed on Quintana on the summit finish of the Terminillo, and while his time trialing ability has undoubtedly improved over the last season, it could be against the clock that his bid for the blue jersey falls falters.