Nairo Quintana on Paris-Nice: "I hope to take a good overall classification"

The last time he was present at Paris-Nice, Nairo Quintana won the queen stage to Valdeblore La Colmiane with a dominating performance after a great month of February. History looks to be repeating itself, and the Colombian will be aiming high for the upcoming French race.

"Paris-Nice is a race I have always enjoyed much. There I've had battles, great fights and could also take podiums. It is a goal for the beginning of the season for me, but also for Team Arkéa Samsic," he said.

"As usual in this race, I'll have to be careful in the first stages where there may be wind and some crashes. In the time-trial it will be sort of a first test, the profile is not all flat, but I'll fight hard because I know my rivals will be strong on that day."

"I think that part of the overall classification will be decided with this time-trial, and those who pretend to win the race have to do it good. There will be two stages that you can classify as medium-mountain, that won't be easy."

This Sunday the eight day stage-race will start in Mantes-la-Ville and will see a route designed for the climbers, with a hilly and short time-trial halfway through the race, and the final two stages that feature tough climbs where gaps can be made. Quintana, after winning Tour de la Provence and Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var, as in 2020, is heading into the race with high ambitions.

"Four years ago I had a stage that's almost identical in Paria-Nice [regarding the queen stage into Col du Turini]. The distance in that day is short, which will make the race intense and nervous. The last day can also have surprises, this year even more with that traditional stage Nice-Nice that will go through Col de Peille, then ´Èze [via a new, harder side]. I hope to take a good overall classification because everyone is strong at this time, my teammates are also strong, we're in good conditions," he completed.

Team Arkéa Samsic for Paris-Nice: Nairo Quintana, Nicolas Edet, Amaury Capiot, Simon Gugliemi, Lukasz Owsian, Connor Swift and Matis Louvel.