Quintana wins Spanish Vuelta ahead of Froome
Nairo Quintana conquistó hoy por primera vez la Vuelta a España al cumplir con la formalidad y defender su liderato en la etapa final por las calles de Madrid y cerró así una carrera histórica para el ciclismo colombiano, reseñó DPA.
A sus 26 años, Quintana logró su segunda victoria en una carrera grande después del Giro d'Italia de 2014 al terminar como líder de la clasificación general después de tres semanas y 21 exigentes etapas.
El colombiano ya se había asegurado virtualmente su victoria el sábado, cuando logró resistir los últimos embates del británico Chris Froome en la subida al Alto de Aitana. Hoy, sólo le quedó pasearse y celebrar por las calles de la capital española, inundadas de aficionados y banderas colombianas, en una etapa llana de 104,1 kilómetros que tuvo como ganador al danés Magnus Cort Nielsen.
Quintana, del equipo Movistar, terminó como líder de la general por delante de Froome, quien había frustrado en julio su sueño de conquistar el Tour de France. El británico, que ya el sábado había felicitado al colombiano por su victoria en la general, culminó a 1:23 minutos.
El podio lo completó otro colombiano, Esteban Chaves, que terminó a 4:08 minutos del líder después de desplazar el sábado del tercer puesto de la clasificación general al español Alberto Contador.
Con su victoria, Quintana se convierte en el segundo colombiano en ganar la Vuelta después de Luis Herrera, que se impuso en 1987. ENGLISH ovistar rider Nairo Quintana won the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday, adding the title to the 2014 Giro d'Italia on his Grand Tour list of honors.
The Colombian climbing expert had cemented his co-mmanding lead over nearest rival Chris Froome in last Saturday's decisive mountain stage.
Following custom, Froome did not challenge Quintana on the traditional ride into the Spanish capital on the 21st and final stage. Instead, the two top cyclists of the moment spent some time chatting as they pedaled along side by side.
Quintana finished the 71st edition of the race 1 minute, 23 seconds in front of second-placed Froome.
MQuintana completed the grueling three-week course that covered 3,315.5 kilometers (2,060 miles) in 83 hours, 31 minutes, 28 seconds.
Esteban Chaves finished in third place and more than four minutes off the pace. He was followed by three-time Vuelta winner Alberto Contador in fourth.
Quintana wore the red leader's jersey for the 12th consecutive day as he rode into Madrid flanked by his triumphant Movistar teammates.
Quintana raised both arms in victory as he breezed across the line in the pack behind the sprinters competing for the stage. He then exchanged embraces with his teammates before shaking hands with Froome.
''I woke up this morning feeling like the winner, but I couldn't raise my arms in celebration until I crossed the finish line,'' Quintana said. ''This is probably the most important (win) for me, considering the scenario and who I was racing against. Froome is a great rival.''
Magnus Cort Nielsen of Denmark won the flat 105kilometer (65-mile) ride starting in Las Rozas before making loops through Madrid's center in 2 hours, 48 minutes, 52 seconds. It was his second stage win of this race.
At age 26, Quintana has established himself as one of the premier cyclists in the world and the top rival to three-time Tour de France champion Froome.
Quintana has twice finished runner-up to Froome at the Tour, most recently in July when he couldn't mount a serious challenge to Froome and his dominant Sky team.