‘It’s nothing alarming’ – Nairo Quintana struggles during Tour Colombia comeback

Nairo Quintana (Movistar) crosses the finish line in Bogotá
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) crosses the finish line in Bogotá (Image credit: Getty Images)

It wasn’t supposed to play out like this. Nairo Quintana had hoped for the grandest of comebacks at the Tour Colombia, but the Alto del Vino proved an obstacle too far after a year on the sidelines.

Quintana already looked to be under some duress with 20km or so of Saturday’s finishing climb still remaining, and he was distanced shortly before his wheels passed over a message of support that had been chalked on the road: “Nairo, we’re with you.”

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.