Nairo Quintana continued to warm up nicely ahead of July’s Tour de France after the Colombian won the overall title at the Tour de Romandie. The
ADVERTISEMENTNairo Quintana continued to warm up nicely ahead of July’s Tour de France after the Colombian won the overall title at the Tour de Romandie.
The rain-soaked final leg took the riders over 172 kilometres from Ollon to Geneva.
An initial ten-man break went clear within the first hour of racing and animated the day’s action.
Swiss Michael Albasini of the Orica-GreenEdge team was part of that group andf was also one of four who attacked the front with 16 kilometres remaining and with the peloton closing in fast behind.
Albasini opened up his sprint to the line from distance then overtook the front runners for a fine victory.
Movistar’s Quintana meanwhile crossed over safely in the bunch to take the overall win 19 seconds clear of Frenchman Thibaut Pinot.
Quintana was second in last year’s Tour de France behind Britain’s Chris Froome, but the 26-year old should take comfort from the fact that three of the previous five Tour de Romandie winners went on to claim the prestigious yellow jersey the following July.