Vuelta a España - Nairo Quintana: I don't want people to say that I was saving it for later
Sep 07 2019 12:19 am CET
Photo of Nairo Quintana by Jonathan Roorda / CyclingPub.com
Movistar's Nairo Quintana crossed the finish line of the thirteenth stage of the Vuelta a España in the fifth position, 27 seconds behind Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic.
The Colombian rider of Movistar tried his luck at the climb of Los Machucos and although he managed to create a space with the rest of the favourites, soon he was caught and left behind by the others. After that, he worked hard to contact his teammate Alejandro Valverde and they crossed the finish line together.
Quintana lost one position in the General Classification and currently sits in the fifth position, three minutes and 33 seconds behind Roglic. "We have tried it, but Roglic has shown to be the strongest rider of the race at the moment," he said at the finish line. "I tried to attack in the middle of the climb because I am the rider that is more behind in the General Classification and I was feeling alright. It is easy to go at the wheel of someone else and wait to see what happens, but I prefer to try because if you don't try you don't know how you really are and the possibilities you have. I don't want people to say that I was saving it for later.
"We have seen how are the shapes of everybody and now we have to try different strategies. We will see if it's possible to attack from far away. There are still decisive stages to go, but it won't be easy, it is complex. We will keep trying."
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