Colombian climber Nairo Quintana soloed his way to victory and the race lead in stage six of the Tour de l'Avenir today, after he took control on the day's final climb up the category one Risoul. The duo of Andrew Talansky (USA) and Mikel Landa (ESP) crossed the line 39 seconds later to finish second and third, respectively.
The day's first ascent, the Col de Pennes, saw a group ride clear and gain a 25 second advantage over the peloton. By the time the leaders had reached the first sprint of the day, at the 34 kilometer mark, the group had grown to include third place overall Jarlinson Pantano. With over a minute advantage to the peloton, the Colombian had become the virtual leader on the road. The Belgian team of yellow jersey Yannick Eijssen kept the escape in check, and as they worked their way towards the final climb of the day, the American and Polish teams joined in to help the chase.
On the way into Risoul the front group began to disintegrate, while the peloton had also been reduced to a group of 30 riders that included Eijssen, Pantana, Tlanasky, Thomas Bonnin (FRA) and second placed overall Romain Bardet (FRA). Dmitriy Ignatyev (RUS) was the first to attack on the early slopes of the Risoul, but Quintana's move proved a winning one, as he split the group apart and put 40 seconds into Talansky, Darwin Atapuma (COL), Slagter and Landa. The Frenchmen both lost contact, while the Colombian went on to win with the American and Spaniard worked hard to limit their losses.
Quintana have to work hard to fend off both Tom Jelte Slagter (NED) and Talansky in tomorrow's final test against the clock. Slagter is just 20 seconds behind the Colombian going into to the 13.5 kilometer test up to Risoul, with Talansky a further 37 seconds behind. The American was fastest in the prologue, but the three were stretched across a scant eleven seconds. A bad day for Quintana could see him lose his yellow jersey dreams on the final day.
Stage 6 results
1. Nairo Quintana (COL)
2. Andrew Talansky (USA) @ 39s
3. Mikel Landa (ESP) s.t.
4. Atapuma Darwin (COL) @ 41s
5. Tom Jelte Slagter (NED) @ 43s
6. Michael Matthews (AUS) @ 1m 34s
7. Wilco Kelderman (NED) @ 1m 38s
8. Higinio Fernandez (ESP) s.t.
9. Jarlinson Pantano (COL) s.t.
10. Ignatyev Dmitriy (RUS) s.t.
Overall after stage 6:
1. Nairo Quintana (COL)
2. Tom Jelte Slagter (NED) @ 20s
3. Jarlinson Pantano (COL) @ 38s
4. Mikel Landa (ESP) @ 41s
5. Atapuma Darwin (COL) @ 49s
6. Andrew Talansky (USA) @ 57s