Tour de France (Stage 6), Nairo Quintana 5th
Nairo Quintana finishes 5th in Longwy after a very fast 6th stage of the Tour 2022. On the eve of the Super Planche des Belles Filles, the Colombian rider climbs up to 11th place in the overall classification.
Credits: Getty Images
“It was a hectic, animated, fast and difficult stage. Everyone wanted to get into the breakaway. The whole team did an incredible job today to place me well until Warren in the final. Once again, I want to thank them all. The feeling is good and this 5th place gives me confidence for the next stages. Tomorrow, the Super Planche des Belles Filles will be a real test for all the GC contenders.”
“Finishing with a 49km/h average speed and 2800m of elevation was crazy! I think I had never done that in my whole career! All the teams wanted to be in the breakaway. When the right move goes, we all refocused around Nairo. On a finish for puncheurs like today, he is still there. A performance like this gives a lot of confidence to the teammates and the staff. With a difficult stage like the one that awaits us tomorrow, it gives us extra motivation.”
“Nairo’s fifth place today is a good omen for tomorrow. I think it will also give him confidence. It’s true that it was a finish that could also suit Warren. We saw that all the leaders had to rely on their teammates to tackle it well. Warren worked for Nairo to keep him well placed in the general classification. With all the work the team has done for him, we are confident that Nairo will have a great climb tomorrow.”