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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@TommyTubolare
Yeah, and then we need to have the riders take a break halfway through because its so hard to ride for 90 minutes or whatever and then have Bouncie play to interrupt the boredom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42w3I-kwS_Q
@Gianni
Just the fact that he's wearing football gear to a bike race is enough to ban him from the halls of the Velminati for life.
@Gianni Thanks for sharing that photo, It's sure to become a classic--going beyond the physical ("I left everything on the mountain") to a prayer ("Father, into your hands I commit my spirit").
This is what pan up agua should look like....
Per rule #19, My name is Ben and this is my first ever post although I have been a fan of the site for 3 years now. I didn't grow up as a fan of cycling so your site has been a great resource as I have nurtured my rapidly growing appreciation of cycling. Since March I have been focusing on hill repeats as a way to get stronger and leaner. I have been blown away by how effortlessly Quintana climbs. To say that I commune with butterflies is and understatement of epic proportion. My favorite rule is #10 and today as I had the Tour de France open on my desktop at work and I saw something pop up that I thought was worth sharing.
Vanmarcke leads peloton a day after climbing Alpe d'Huez in big chainring
Sep Vanmarcke (BEL) is at front of the peloton that crested the col du Glandon 7'50" behind the two stage leaders. The Belkin rider had bike problems yesterday and was forced to do the second ascent of Alpe d'Huez in the 53 chainring... he posted the 42nd best time for the climb, a little over nine minutes slower than Quintana who was fastest.
I don't know anything about this rider and will spend some time researching him later, but I thought that this is a group that would appreciate it most.
@benjammin73
Welcome. Sep Vanmarcke is a badass, plain and simple. He nearly won Paris-Roubaix, he is no wee climber and now we hear he does the 2nd ascent of Alpe d'Huez in the 53. Sheeit, That's a man. You can't emulate Quintana unless you are small and a born climber. Sep Vanmarcke is someone worth emulating; be good on the flats and the hills, Rule #5 for breakfast.
@Gianni
Thanks for the welcome, I appreciate it. It's good to hear that I ws impressed by someone worthy of it. Thanks to all the keepers. Sur la Plaque!
@TBONE
How about the guy who did the tripping hiding behind his girl when the dayglo weirdo goes after him? If you're going to step up and make a play like that at least be a man and stand up for yourself. Of course Mr. Skittles was about twice as tall as him and probably would have shellacked him - but hiding behind your lady? Weak.
Quintana has proven himself, not just a great climber but a good bike racer too. I love this kid. I think he will be on the second step of the podium on sunday. Grand tour winner next year
Agreed. I will take that photo with me and know that whenever I loose a race or KOM I will know if I don't feel like that I didn't give my all.