The contenders – Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
Second to Alberto Contador at Tirreno-Adriatico, Colombian ace Nairo Quintana is still among the favourites for the Giro d’Italia and could well step up his preparations with a strong ride at the Volta. The Movistar rider, last year’s Tour de France runner-up, lost time on the Guardiagrele in Italy last week but it was still more miles in his legs with bigger goals to come. Fourth in Catalonia last year, his victory atop Vallter 2000 was one of the first steps towards his phenomenal coming of age last season and he is more than capable of repeating the feat this time out.
However, as he has already found since bursting onto the scene, he is now a marked man. Should he be selected for Catalunya it will be with overall ambitions in mind and the Colombian proved on his season’s debut at the Tour de San Luis he is more than capable of achieving it. His victory atop Mont Semnoz at last year’s Tour meanwhile, proved he can beat the best on the biggest stages too. But his rivals will be keeping a very close eye on him, and he will need to raise his level again to fight them off consistently.
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