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EFE · Road Competition · 09/09/2020
Nairo Quintana (Arka-Samic) dropped it, Egan Bernal (Ineos) discarded it and Miguel ngel Lpez (Astana) threw balls out. The proposal of a Colombian alliance to repeat victory in the Tour de France seems to have few options of going forward.
The race situation allows it. Four Colombian cyclists are among the top ten overall, dominated by the Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and which also includes his compatriot Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates).
That scenario plans a duel between Colombia and Slovenia for the final victory on the Champs Elysées, although in cycling the flag passes behind the jersey.
It seemed to Quintana that Roglic and Pogacar joined forces out of national solidarity on the slopes of Peyresourde during the first Pyrenean stage.
“I went ahead and they didn’t want to give relays,” said the Arkea rider, fifth overall, 32 seconds behind Roglic.
“We will have to make a Colombian alliance if it ever presents itself and that it can be done in this way,” added the Boyac man, who has climbed to the podium in Paris three times, two to the second step and one to the third.
SECOND COLOMBIAN VITORIA
But the idea has not fallen on fertile ground for his compatriots. At least in Bernal, the best classified of them and the only one who has entered the Champs Elysees in yellow.
“I would like that, if it is not me or my team, another Colombian will win the Tour de France. But it is not so easy to say ´we are going to make an alliance all Colombians, come on, we attack, we give relays and we arrive´”, Bernal opined on ESPN television during the rest day.
The second of the general criticized in a particular way that the proposal came from Quintana, whom he accused of not collaborating much in the leaks.
“Especially, let Nairo say so. Many times I have attacked, I have gone with him, I have asked him for relief and he does not pass,” said the Ineos cyclist.
In any case, Bernal did not want to permanently close the door to that alliance if the race allows it.
“It will be very complicated, but if the opportunity that favors us Colombians is given that we are there, why not take over?”, He assured.
COMPLICATED ALLIANCE
The one from Zapaquir believes that, above all, professionalism should prevail when planning the race and that each cyclist has to “look for their opportunities.” “I hope Nairo does.”
The two Colombians seem to mark each other in the distance. There are a few days until the road steepens and reaches their favorite terrain, where they must demonstrate the quality of the “beetles”.
The Tour crosses France from west to east, in days of nerves that end in a “sprint”. Quintana suffered a fall this Tuesday that does not seem to have caused physical consequences, while Bernal advances without problems with the white jersey of best youngster.
The sixth overall is Rigoberto Urn (Education First), who has not commented on the possible Colombian alliance.
The one who has done it is Miguel ngel `Supermn Lpez, ninth overall, 1 minute and 15 seconds behind the leader.
The Astana rider does not see it as an option at the moment, as long as they all retain individual options in the general, but he does not rule it out when only one has victory options.
“At the moment, each one runs for his team and his interests. But in the end we are fellow countrymen, from the same country, when the Tour has become a little more unlinked, we can collaborate. For my part, there would be no problems to make an alliance, it would be Nice to get a second Tour for Colombia, “he said.
Luis Miguel Pascual
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