This has to be one of the best photos of the 2013 Tour: Nairo Quintana at the finish on the Ventoux. Nairo gives very little away when he climbs but as he crossed the line his head dropped and the lights went out. He later admitted having gone too early again. Before that, on the slopes of the Giant of Provence, he knew he was going to win. Then he was caught, then dropped, then he regained Froome’s wheel. Finally he was dropped a second time, towards the summit. There was no fighting back to Froome’s wheel, only the need to race on, as fast as possible.
His soigneur drapes a fresh long sleeve jersey on his shoulders, a bottle of pink spanish recovery fluid awaits. Nairo’s left hand lies open by his leg. His head hangs with exhaustion and disappointment. This soigneur has to do his magic now as Quintana has left it all on the Ventoux.
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@TBONE
How did you find that? I hope the police sorted that guy out. It would be a bad gig being a police with that drunken crowd.
I was reading about Quintanta riding to school everyday when he was young. His route included a 16KM long climb averaging 8%. its no wonder that he's a great rider
At 5'5, Quintana is my new inspiration to drop 7kg and see if I can climb like him. My wife might get upset that I'd weight the same as her, though. Good thing the bike doesn't complain when it's rider loses weight.
@Gianni Yeah, I blame Antler Guy from TOC or Franks lot:
@minion yes.
@motor city
Heard Matt Keenan saying that Quintana as a 10 year old drove taxi's to help support his family. He had to drive at night to avoid police seeing him behind the wheel.
Quintana is SO legit... couldn't agree more about the photo and its power.
@Gianni
A buddy of mine posted it on the Face Tubes. Hilarity ensued.
@motor city
Fucking antler guy, what a douche. Did his momma drop him on his dome when he was young?
I know Frank spent a crazy night on l'Alpe d'Huez, one would assume he would gravitate toward Dutch corner. I didn't understand it was a national trait; getting drunker and louder and happier works for all Dutch. I thought that was a Frank thing.