Quintana handed Tour de France time penalty for motorbike push

Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) pushes off a motorbike during stage 18 of the Tour de France
Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) pushes off a motorbike during stage 18 of the Tour de France (Image credit: France TV Sport)

Former Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana endured a tough time of things on the final mountain stage of this year's race, dropping from fourth to fifth on the general classification on the road to Hautacam after finishing in 13th place, 5:22 down on stage winner Jonas Vingegaard.

The Arkéa-Samsic leader had been battling with Frenchman David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) over fourth before the stage but now faces a fight with Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) to hang on to fifth in Saturday's final time trial.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.