Arguably the most naturally gifted climber in the professional peloton, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) took another huge step into the annals of professional cycling with his maiden Grand Tour win in 2014.

Having kicked off his season with victory at the Tour de San Luis, Quintana went through the motions at his first two WorldTour races of the season – Tirrenno-Adriatico and the Volta a Catalunya – without making many headlines.

When he came into form at the Giro d’Italia, however, he did so in incredible style.

Stage 16 may be bettered remembered for the ‘Storm on the Stelvio’ where mixed messages about the stage being neutralised had allowed Quintana to break clear in a small group.

Any advantage gained there, however, was put firmly into context as he rode to success on Val Martello and into the pink jersey with the ease of a Sunday rider clocking some leisurely miles on a flat 30km.

As Pierre Rolland and Ryder Hesjedal were put in the hurt locker, Quintana’s facial expression didn’t change as he rode to victory, cool as a cucumber.

Nairo Quintana in 2014

Stage wins: four
Grand Tour stage wins: Giro d’Italia x2
GC wins in 2014: three (Tour de San Luis, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a Burgos)
Champagne moment: His stage 16 victory at the Giro d’Italia. Events earlier in the day were merely circumstantial as he proved his class with a stunning showing on Val Martello.