08 July 2022

For the first summit finish of the 2022 Tour, Nairo Quintana finished 15th at the top of the Super Planche des Belles Filles, a steep of a kind.

Credits: Getty Images

“I lacked that little something to be in the fight with the best. It was a steep climb for strong riders. Despite everything, we remain optimistic and we will continue to move forward. Consistency will be the key to play the general classification.”

Matîs Louvel

“The breakaway came out all of a sudden. Nobody in it was necessarily dangerous for us. We worked hard all day to place Nairo ideally at the foot of the final climb.”

“I had already been lucky enough to experience this home finish in 2020 and my fan club was there again this year. They were too quiet! No, I’m joking. It’s always nice to feel pushed and it inevitably helps in the climb.”

Yvon Ledanois, sport director

“It was a particularly fast stage but also the first summit finish. It wasn’t the result we were hoping for but it wasn’t catastrophic either.  The day when there will be a series of mountain passes, it will be different. I would like to thank once again the team that was around Nairo during the whole day. I have confidence in the team to keep focused on our goal.”