NAIRO QUINTANANA - 30 ARKÉA - SAMSIC

Quintana is the elder statesman of the Tour’s Colombian contingent but, leading a new team, he’s determined to let his legs do the talking

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Having spent all of his career at Movistar, traditionally one of the strongest teams in the peloton, Nairo Quintana appeared to have taken a step back when he opted to step down from the WorldTour ranks to join the Arkéa-Samsic team at ProTeam level, one rung down in the racing hierarchy. It looked an odd match from other perspectives too, not least because Quintana was joining a French team that has generally been associated more with targeting breakaways rather than competing for the overall classification.

However, this surprise move was soon hailed as an impressive transfer coup when the Colombian quickly shone in the colours of his new Breton team, racking up a string of dashing victories on French roads pre-lockdown. Winner on Mont Ventoux at the Tour de la Provence and on the Col d’Èze in the Tour du Var, victories that led to overall success in both races, the 30-year-old Colombian proved that he and his new team could thrive together.