Nairo Quintana (Movistar) very happy to hold on to his leader’s jersey on an attacking final stage to win Volta a CatalunyaÂ
![]() |
News: Quintana wins Volta a Catalunya
MOVISTAR TEAM PRESS RELEASE
After responding to a series of dangerous attacks, Nairo Quintana on Sunday became the third Colombian rider to win the Volta a Catalunya. The champion from Boyacá imposed his authority on the race calmly but decisively, braving the short (134km) and nervous seventh stage, with eight final circuits around Montjuïc, to add another prestigious win to his palmarès.
Supported on the climbs by Javi Moreno, Dayer Quintana and the excellent Winner Anacona, and on the flat by the reassuring Imanol Erviti, Nairo suppressed successive attempts on his race lead.
At the first Intermediate sprint of the day, Dan Martin (EQS) clawed back another second to move within 17″ of the race lead. Four laps from the finish, Aru (AST) attacked with Barguil (TGA) and Vervaecke (LTS), only to see their move neutralised by Froome (SKY), whose darting acceleration led Nairo to chase him down in person.
Moves by Contador (TNK), Hugh Carthy (CJR) and with 4km to go and the end of the final climb in sight, Dan Martin again, failed to unseat Nairo, and the Colombian ended the day with his 7″ lead over Contador intact. Dan Martin joined them on the final podium.
The win gave Nairo his 25th victory as a professional. It was his ninth GC and his third one-week stage-race at WorldTour level, all of them early-season events: the 2013 Tour of the Basque Country, the 2015 Tirreno Adriatico, and now the 2016 Volta a Catalunya. The winner of the 2014 Giro d’Italia will now take a small break before starting the ‘Itzulia’, his next objective, on 4 April (Monday next).
Nairo Quintana: “I’m very, very happy. I have started the year well. This is really an incredible win, one of the hardest fought I’ve had in my career. Thanks to the team for their phenomenal work. We suffered for this and today we have been rewarded.
“We started the day with more strength than legs. Three of our riders were ill, with José Herrada and Marc Soler down with flu, so we had to defend my race lead with five. It was as hard-fought a stage as I have ever ridden. I have won the Volta by just seven seconds, which isn’t a big margin and shows that my rivals were strong.
“I wouldn’t say I’m getting ahead of myself. There are still many races to go, and we start them from zero, but having beaten all the big names who were here gives me confidence that I am doing things well with the focus on my dream of winning the yellow jersey. Winning here in Catalunya also means that I am still growing, still maturing, and progressing towards the big goal that we have set this season. I will keep accumulating race days and hopefully reach the start of the Tour de France in good shape. I’ll be in the Basque Country, then at Liège and Romandie.
“This win is dedicated to my team-mates Adriano Malori and Jonathan Castroviejo, wishing them both a full and speedy recovery. It is also for the fans, especially the Colombians. A few years ago it was a surprise for me to see them here: now it feels normal, but it is still great to see them, not just here, in France too, and all over Europe. They are wonderful people.”
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Beverley Town Centre Races
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- Crit Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits 11
- Crit Result: RCR FatCreations Goodwood Summer Special
- UK Armed Forces Inter-services Road Race
- Report: TLI Cycling ‘Belgium Training Series
- BMCR RESULT: The Ron Day MK Bowl Circuit races (July 23rd)
- RR Result: Bath RC Junior National Series Road Race
- Crit Result: West Thames League 15
- Crit Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday Series 15
- Crit Result: Bath CC Mid Summer Series 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series #17
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- Youth Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League 14
- TT Result: Verulam Cycling Club 25m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District Ladies CA 25m TT
- TT Result: Ferryhill Wheelers CC 25m TT
- Crit Result: Banbury Star Crit Series #2
- RR Result: Lakes Road Club Summer Road Race
- National Circuit Series: Colne
- TT Result: Kings Lynn CC 15m TT
- TT Result: ECCA 10 mile Time Trial
- TT Result: Chorley Cycling Club 10m TT
- TT Result: Houghton CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 10m TT
- TT Result: Farnham RC 10m TT
- Crit Result: King&Queen of the Bowl Series #13
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- Crit Result: Lichfield/Velospeed No Frills at Curborough #7
- TT Result: Swindon RC & Swindon Wh 50m TT
- Crit News: Spatzwear Friday Night Crit Series #6 | YBC
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Crit Result: Thanks Crit it’s Friday 7
- Crit Result: Omega Portsmouth Circuits 6
- Result: BMCR National Road Bike TT Championship
- Crit Result: Ride Revolution Coaching Summer Crits #2
- Crit Result: Shutt Velo Rapide Hitters Crits Rd2
Other News on VeloUK
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Ribble Redefines Road with launch of Allroad
- BMCR: National Road Bike Time Trial Championship
- SUNDAY: Bath Road Club Junior National Series Road Race
- TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES
- NATIONAL CIRCUIT SERIES UPDATE 2024
- News: Josh Tarling Extends Contract at Ineos
- Tour of Britain for Men 2024
- News: Connor Swift Extends Contract with Ineos
- Updated GB Olympic Team News
- Sunday: 2024 Youth Circuit Race Championships (Cyclopark)
- ROBBED BY THE HIGHWAYS AGENCY – National Highways
- Startlist: BMCR National Road Championships E/F/G/H
- OLYMPIC NEWS – Team GB Announces First Riders for Olympics
- News: Alex Richardson Retires
- New Releases from Shutt Velo Rapide
- STARTLIST: Men’s British Road Race Championships
- STARTLIST: 2024 Women’s British Road Race Championships
- Startlist: 2024 CAMS Yorkshire Classic Road Races
- Startlists: 2024 Circuit Race Championships
- Startlist: CAMS Ronde van Wymeswold
- Startlists & 2023 Results: National Time Trial Championships
- NEWS: Star Studded Line Up for National Road Champs
- Riders so far: London Dynamo Summer Road Races
- Women’s Tour of Britain Startlist (provisional)
- News: Lincoln winner hit by car
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Cycles Races
- GB Team Named for Women’s Tour of Britain
- STARTLISTS: NW, Yorkshire & NE Regional RR Championships
- Startlists: East Midlands Road Race Championships
- News: Ribble Rebellion Race USA’s Armed Forces Cycling Classic
- TT Result: Legato Racing Team 10m TT
- Pre-Race Rider Quotes: Ford RideLondon Classique
- STARTLIST: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- Team News: Tour of Britain for Alba Development RT
- Startlist: Totnes Vire 2024
- Starters: NW Junior/U23 360cycling Two Day