Winning debut for Nairo Quintana with the French team Arkéa-Samsic. The 30-year-old Colombian won his first title in a stage race with his new team, joined this winter. This Sunday, the former Movistar winner won the Tour de Provence, after a fourth stage, won by the Briton Owain Doull (Ineos).
Overall, Quintana is ahead of Russian Alexandr Vlasov (+ 1'04 '') and Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko (+ 1'28 ''). The 30-year-old rider made the difference on the slopes of Mont Ventoux on Saturday, showing himself sharp and airy. He had won with a good lead.
Nairo Quintana's victory in the final general classification of the Tour de la Provence 2020 #Tousensemble pic.twitter.com/7Nn5HXmf7h
- Team Arkéa Samsic (@Arkea_Samsic) February 16, 2020This Tour de la Provence marks the conquering beginnings of Arkéa Samsic. In addition to the final victory thanks to the Colombian, the Breton team won two of the four stages. In addition to Quitana on Saturday, the French Nacer Bouhanni, also recruited this winter, had won the first stage in the sprint. He hadn't won for a year and a half.
Pinot "don't panic"
This race was also that of return of Thibaut Pinot, who had not run since his retirement on the Tour de France 2019. The Frenchman completed this Tour de Provence in 7th place. "I hoped to do better but you have to know how to take your pain patiently," said the runner from Groupama-FDJ. "My goals are in March with Paris-Nice (March 8-15) and the Tour de Catalogne so it is not necessary that I panic too much but that I remain calm".
