Nairo Quintana happy and motivated after finishing "so close to the podium in the Tour"

Nairo Quintana has for the last decade been one of the strongest and most influencial climbers in the peloton. Like Geraint Thomas, with the surge of a new generation it seemed as if the Colombian was to struggle to fight for big results in the mountains, however his sixth place at the Tour de France has proved he's still got it, alongside a few incredibly impressive rides in the mountains.

“It has been many years since I have been so close to the podium in the Tour," Quintana said in Paris. His sixth place was strong, however he still points out the difficulties he had to overcome in the last week: "I have the feeling that I could do it, but I caught a cold a few days ago in a hotel. Health is your biggest rival over three weeks of racing. I was then one day good, one day not so good and it was this cold that I think kept me out of the fight for the podium. I am only human and as everybody knows, in the Tour everything counts".

Quintana finished second at the Col du Granon, and was the only GC rider to stay with Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar on the Mur de Peguère on stage 16. These two performances have shown the Colombian is still one of the world's very best climbers. Illness on the final week saw him out of the fight for the podium, however at this point of his career a sixth place will be very important and the points it brought Arkéa Samsic almost solidify the team into promotion for the upcoming season.

Besides, the 32-year old's collaboration with the team remained incredibly positive, with a team that provided immense support throughout the race despite the clear difference of talent in comparison to the likes of Jumbo-Visma, INEOS Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates. "I am satisfied with my 6th place overall, the team worked hard. My team-mates are young, but they learn quickly. The group is good, promising. I enjoy being with them, because they listen, are full of life and we are a close team. I feel young among them. They give me motivation," Quintana said.

Quintana is very much uncertain to stay in the team as it rises to World Tour level in 2023, however he has maintained a very thankfull and positive message over all parts of the team: "I also want to thank the team staff who are a driving force behind my success and that of the Arkéa-Samsic team in this Tour 2022, and to underline the professionalism of their men and women behind the scenes, which is worthy of the greatest teams," he concluded.