Nairo Quintana’s Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
We got up close with the Colombian climber’s stage-winning bike.
During Thursday’s ascent up the 2,642-metre Col du Galibier in France’s Dauphiné Alps, the Colombian climber Nairo Quintana had his plan mapped out. We’re not being figurative: The Movistar rider taped the stage 18 elevation profile to the aero bar of his Canyon Ultimate CF SLX – because what else are flat, aero bars for – and made his move mid-way up the final climb, dropping the field and winning his first stage of the 2019 Tour de France.
To most riders, Quintana’s map probably looked like the impending doom brought on by a 22-kilometre climb, but the Movistar man used the terrain to his advantage with a decisive break that even the Tour’s best climbers couldn’t (or wouldn’t) cover.
The bike is Canyon’s Ultimate CF SLX, an all-rounder favoured by Canyon-sponsored climbers over the Aeroad, the company’s aero road bike. Quintana’s bike features Campagnolo Super Record groupset all around, including rim brakes, and the wheels are Campy’s 35mm Bora Ultra model.
We reviewed the Ultimate when it debuted last year and found it to be an excellent all-rounder: Light and responsive to keep you entertained, yet accommodating of 32mm tyres for epic rides.
Quintana might not be a favourite for this year’s race, but we hope to see more attacks from the punchy Colombian rider. In the meantime, check out more shots of the Movistar Ultimate or pour over the rest of Quintana’s gear.
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