The moment of truth has arrived in the Tour of Colombia with the queen’s stage this Saturday with the finish line in Alto del Vino, where the 38 km climb will serve as the battleground for the title contenders.
It is clear that Colombian cyclists are the most familiar with the Cundinamatca pass, a symbol of cycling in the department, with the chance that it is a very difficult climb that ends at 2,835 meters, where the differences can be a few minutes.
Egan Bernal, tenth overall, 30 seconds behind the leader, Rodrigo Contreras, had no doubts when it came to predicting what could happen at Alto del Vino.
“Everyone has to express themselves in Alto del Vino. It will be a very difficult stage, where the differences are not in seconds, but in minutes”said the runner representing Team Colombia in this race.
More generally, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), will face the test a few seconds away, ensuring that there will be a fierce battle until the general classification is decided.
“It will definitely define the podium, it will be a stage full of many battles. We know that Education First and the Colombian National Team are very strong. “Most of its members are from Colombia or Latin America, so the height won’t affect them.”he said.
The cyclist from Boyacá will be a great asset to Movistar for the general, and his teammates must complete the support strategy for their leader.
“It is a demanding climb, very tough. It will be difficult for Nairo to cut 40 seconds, he hasn’t competed in a long time and that also counts. He said, he is good and he wants to try, he can. “He’s 34 years old and looks like a 21-year-old kid, he wants to fight and we trust him.”he said at the finish line Sergio Samitier, the Movistar Aragonese cyclist.
Another broker with options is Esteban Chaves (EF Education), which will run at home. “It’s a special place for me, I started riding a bike there and I know it perfectly. It will be decisive”.
Rodrigo Contreras will defend the yellow jersey he wears in Tunja before the avalanche of favorites that will play everything for everyone at Alto del Vino.
“I know the terrain well and it will be a very complicated climb, where there will be many attacks”said.
Source: La Verdad
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