Nairo Quintana finished 2nd in the 2013 Tour de France and his success has made him realize that he may now target the top step of the podium. The Colombian feels that an overall win in the world's biggest bike race is within his capacities.
Nairo Quintana was the big revelation in this year's Tour de France when the young Colombian finished 2nd behind Chris Froome in just his second grand tour. Having also won a big stage in the Alps and the white and polka-dot jerseys, the Colombian feels that more is in store.
Speaking at the press conference following yesterday's announcement that Telefonica has extended its main sponsorship of his Movistar team until 2016, Quintana told that he feels that an overall win in the world's biggest bike race in on the cards in the coming years.
“Yes, I see myself winning the Tour de France some day, I don’t see it far away," he said according to EFE. "I don’t know if it will be in one year, in two or in three, but I have the capacity to do it."
This year Quintana flew a bit under the radar in the build-up to the Tour but next year he will be one of the main favourites - if he decides to participate in the race. However, he was unfazed by the increased pressure.
“I don’t think it affects me to be a contender for the Tour," he said. "I’m taking it calmly: it’s not something that stresses me. I have to work hard and try to meet the expectations, nothing more than that.”
Quintana will share captaincy duties in the grand tours with Alejandro Valverde but said that “I feel like the team leader". Yesterday, Valverde played with the idea of doing the Giro but would wait for the unveiling of the courses of the Tour and Vuelta before making a final decision.
Similarly, Quintana has previously stated that the Giro could also be a target for him in 2014.
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