After the disappointment of the 2017 season, Nairo Quintana has enjoyed an easier start to the year as he focuses his attention solely on the Tour in 2018.
“I feel in good condition,” Quintana told media. “How to beat Froome? I’m going into the race with few competition days and much quieter days. Compared to last year, I’ve spent a lot of time at home resting and training at altitude. That’s the plan to take on Froome because we have changed the roster with a great team and I hope it is possible come July.”
“We have a strong team, everything is better when we all work together, the idea is to support the three leaders, depending on what happens, the team will decide who to support,” Quintana said.
“That’s going to be the same in the Roubaix cobble stage [nine]. In 2015, we also raced over the pavé and we had a great time. The stage this year is more difficult. It’s the same for everyone and anything can happen. One can win or lose minutes.”
Quintana named Froome, Richie Porte, and Rigoberto Urán as the favorites for the 2018 Tour.
“It will take weeks of recovery for Froome, that’s the way it is for every cyclist. It has happened to me,” Quintana said.
“I think he will arrive in good condition and I will do everything to defeat him. We will give everything as always and go to defeat him with good strategy as we did in the Vuelta a España. We feel very good and united as a team.
“It’s not only him, but there are other cyclists who change their strategies for the Tour and we will face a high level of competition.”
