Tour de France - Nairo Quintana: We fulfilled our goal of not losing time
Jul 12 2019 02:27 am CET
Photo of Nairo Quintana
Movistar's Nairo Quintana crossed the finish line in the seventh position at the sixth stage of the Tour de France, the first real climbing day of the race.
The route of the day included several difficult climbs, including La Plance des Belles Filles, where the finish line was placed. During the last two climbs, Movistar took control of the pack to set a rhythm that would help the interests of their GC men, and Alejandro Valverde commanded the peloton at several moments.
Mikel Landa tried an attack in the last stretch of the stage, but it was repelled by the pace set by other teams. In the end, Quintana crossed the finish line one minute and 53 seconds behind the winner of the stage Giulio Ciccone and lost seven seconds to Geraint Thomas -one of his direct rivals.
"Today we did a great job with the team and at the end, we sort of fulfilled our goal, which was also not losing time," said Quintana at the finish line. "This kind of finales are very hard for us. We are climbers, but this kind of very steep climbs is difficult for us. The first day of the mountain is hard until the legs adapt again to it.
"It is was very difficult to open any gaps, the rivals are still very strong and fresh. We have to see how that develops as the days pass."
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