Colombian climbing ace Nairo Quintana (Movistar) has usurped Alejandro Valverde as his team’s bona fide leader for the Tour de France, and returns for the first time since his runner-up spot in 2013.

Quintana was in top form two years ago, attacking regularly and eventually winning the white jersey, polka dot jersey and second place – just reward for a great race.

He is still eligible for the white jersey this year, too, and barring disaster is the clear favourite to be pulling it on again come Paris.

What he really wants is yellow though, to add to his maiden Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia.

He was leading the Vuelta a Espana last year too, when he crashed spectacularly in the individual time trial and was later forced to abandon as a result.

With world number one Valverde at his side, Movistar will look to take advantage of having a fiercely-strong two-pronged attack for the Tour in order to set Quintana up.

His form this year has not been spectacular, but he has kept things ticking along and – crowned by victory at Tirreno-Adriatico – has shown decent form in the mountains.

With no big time trial in this year’s race, Quintana will not be worried about having to cut big losses against the clock either which should set him up nicely for the mountains.

On Val Martello at the Giro last year, he proved nobody is blessed with natural climbing ability quite like his in the pro peloton – and if he can do that again at the Tour he will be difficult to reel in.

Movistar squad: QUINTANA, Valverde, Dowsett, Malori, Izaguirre, Herrada, Anacona, Castroviejo, Erviti

Form guide

Best Tour de France result: runner-up, best young rider, king of the mountains (2013)
Tour de France stage wins: one (2013)
Other Grand Tour highlights: Giro d’Italia – winner (2014), best young rider (2014), two stage wins (2014).
2015 highlights: Tour de San Luis (third overall), Tirreno-Adriatico (stage win, winner overall), Tour of the Basque Country (fourth overall), Tour de Romandie (eighth overall), Route du Sud (second overall).
UCI WorldTour ranking: 15^th