“I see Nairo enjoying, happy and motivated for this Tour Colombia,” he said bluntly. Pablo Lastras, director of the Movistar teamwho will face the Colombian round starting next Tuesday.
“Nairo is happyas he himself said in the Movistar presentation on December 21. He is back in the competition as usual. He is so thin, he comes so ambitious and sometimes you have to ask him to stop. Perhaps that impetus led him to make some mistakes, because of his desire to please. It usually happens when you come back from an injury or when you come back from a long break, in this case a year of not competing,” explained Lastras.
There is no doubt about Nairo’s motivation for this Tour Colombia. Last Sunday his compatriots from Tunja praised him for the team’s performance, and he will once again wear the Movistar jersey in his home town.
“It’s with him very eager to try to win in their country, in their territory. He’s going to argue. It will be very difficult for teams like EF Educarion, with Egan Bernaland to all Colombian friends and rivals. The goal is to win, even if it’s top 3. “That would be a very good result.”
According to Lastra, Nairo Quintana returned to the team after a one-year hiatus as an “enjoyable” cyclist, which gives Boyacense emotional and professional stability.
“Anyone who doesn’t put pressure on themselves is not good for this sport”
Furthermore, he added, Nairo does not feel pressured by the responsibility of assuming leadership roles again: “He does not feel too much pressure. He is a leader, he is a winner, and, besides, not putting pressure on himself is useless for this sport. and he puts pressure on himself. “He’s ready,” he assured.
The Movistar coach is clear that the first stages are for sprinters, and that the issue of bonuses will be important. “All will be near, but the first days are for those who fast.”
Lastras also pointed out the possible surprise that the second stage could provide, ending in Santa Rosa de Viterbo, “where 4 years ago “There was a great battle with Alaphilippe and Richard Carapaz.”
On the third day, Lastras assured, “it will be fireworks”, the fourth in Zipaquiráwhere Egan Bernal lives, there will be another sprint, and the fifth will be a new route, the Alto del Vino, a short stage, but with a climb of 33 km, almost at 6%, which will be decisive”
Movistar’s goals will continue look for those coming in the sprint with Gaviria as the trump card and the general classification with Nairo, which will involve complete planning of the strategy to be followed.
“It will take a lot of communication, that’s why we sell the company that represents us, obviously, but we already started working like this last year with Fernando, who will count on Albert Torres at the finishes. Then the others are all there. to work on the flat stages, like Vinicius Rangel. In the mountains Sergio Samitier and Iván Sosa will be with Nairo,” he explained.
Source: La Verdad
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