Nairo Quintana (Movistar) feels that he may be struggling from an allergy which is the reason for his underpar performance at this year’s Tour de France.
In yesterday’s 17-kilometre time-trial stage between Sallanches and Megève, the Colombian struggled in the opening flat kilometres, losing time to his rivals.
However, he bounced back after the third and final intermediate point, 13.5km in, to finish 10th in Megève, even though he confirmed after crossing the line he’s far from his best performance.
Team Sky’s Chris Froome took another giant step towards winning in Paris with his stage win, leaving Bauke Mollema (TFS) at 3’52” in second place.
Nairo Quintana: “I wasn’t expecting to be feeling this way. It’s not fatigued how I feel, but my body doesn’t respond properly either. It might be some sort of allergy around which has hit me during the last few days – my legs don’t simply get as much oxygen as I need.”
“I hope that rain falls during the next days, so I can feel better and hope for the podium. Despite not finding that great form, at the moment it doesn’t look like a bad place to be in, fourth and ready to fight for the TDF podium.”
“Let’s see how by body responds towards Saturday – if this allergy limiting myself goes out, I might respond as I normally do. Thanks to all Colombians for their support, messages and tweets: they’ve always been there in all times, good and bad.”
Friday will bring the third-to-last stage of the race, 146km between Albertville and Saint-Gervais / Mont Blanc which include the cols of Bisanne (HC), Forclaz (Cat-1) and the mountain-top finish in Le Bettex (Cat-1, 9.8 kilometres at 8%).
he is allergic to the yellow jersey?
An allergy to attacking…..
“Allergic” to what carrying some extra timber
Maybe he’s allergic to doing any work?
He’ll be able to draw a map by memory of Froome’s ass crack he’s spent so much time looking at it. Until Froome fell off tho and he attacked by holding onto a motorbike…
Allergic to France.
TT yesterday all the Sky riders take it easy except Froome. Movistar have four in top 20 really having a go, would they not be better off conserving energy to help Quintana today and tomorrow? I know they’re going for team prize but strange tactics from Movistar.
This is to cover up the fact that he’s been told that Movistar are more interested in the team classification rather than the individual GC. As this way they’ll get the whole team on the podium in Paris and they feel better publicity
People normally only remember the GC winner though.
What, to hills? #excuses
I say he should change his chemical engineer for next years TdF
@chrisfroome just too good. Don’t worry about allergies
I was born with that allergy its kept me from turning pro for years
Last interview of Quintana with allergy…
http://youtu.be/UKQHM1ZeKcs
It’s a rare condition called “Froome’s stronger than me”
Yes. He’s allergic to getting his head in front.
Tyler got my excuse for Saturday. Brenda