Nairo Quintana is riding high…
The 26-year-old Colombian cyclist won the 71st edition of the Vuelta a España on Sunday.
Quintana, a cyclist for the Movistar Team, had led the overall general classifications since Stage 10.
He was greeted by cheers from the Madrid crowds as he crossed the finish line in his red jersey with an overall time of 83 hours, 31 minutes, 28 seconds.
While talking to the press after his victory, he said this was the best race of his life thanks to his competitors and that after all his hard work, winning was a dream come true.
Winner of this final stage was Dane Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange) who clocked a time of 2:48:52 followed by Italian Daniele Bennati (Tinkoff) and Belgian Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step).
Britain’s Chris Froome ranked second overall, 1:23 minutes behind Quintana.
The British cycling legend and three-time Tour de France winner missed out on his quest for an historic back-to-back Grand Tour win in one season.
Also on the podium was Colombian Johan Esteban Chaves (OBE) at 4:08 minutes.
Stage 21 of the Vuelta was a smooth race from Las Rozas to the Madrid city center, where the competitors had to complete an urban circuit nine times.
In the approach to the Spanish capital, Quintana appeared calm, smiling and drinking champagne with Froome and Chaves.
Illnesses and injuries had in 2014 and 2015 impeded a Vuelta win, but this year he became the first Colombian to win since Lucho Herrera’s victory in 1987.
