Movistar Devoted to Quintana at Giro

AFP / Yuzuru Sunada

Movistar said they are completely devoted to helping Nairo Quintana win the Giro d’Italia after naming their team on Monday. Quintana was the revelation of last year’s Tour de France, out-performing star team-mate and leader Alejandro Valverde and coming second behind Chris Froome, whilst also winning both the young rider and king of the mountains jerseys. It will be the third Grand Tour of the 24-year-old Colombian’s career having debuted in the three-week stage races at the 2012 Vuelta a Espana, where he finished 36th.

“The team has been formed to support him. The aim is to fight for the podium,” said manager Eusebio Unzue. “After his second place at the Tour he is ready (to win) but we aren’t forgetting that this is the first time he has such responsibility from the start – that he will tackle a Grand Tour as a leader.”

Quintana’s major support will come from Spaniard Igor Anton, twice a top 10 finisher at the Vuelta. The Giro begins in Belfast on Friday with the first three stages taking place in Northern Ireland and Ireland before heading back to its true homeland.

Movistar for Giro d’Italia
Andrey Amador (CRC), Igor Anton (ESP), Eros Capecchi (ITA), Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP), Jose Herrada (ESP), Gorka Izagirre (ESP), Adriano Malori (ITA), Nairo Quintana (COL), Fran Ventoso (ESP)