In his final season as a professional racer, Nairo Quintana turned back the clock to win his first race in four years at the Vuelta Asturias on Friday.

The Colombian soloed to victory on stage 2 of the four-day stage race, a challenging mid-mountain stage over four categorised climbs to Pola de Lena, Spain.

The win was the 52nd of Quintana's career, dating back to the opening stage of the Vuelta a Murcia in 2012 and encompassing overall titles at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

Article continues below

Quintana pointed to the sky as he crossed the line in tribute to Colombian rider Cristian Camilo Muñoz, who died on Friday morning after suffering a knee infection following a crash last weekend.

"It's truly sad. This morning, when we heard the news, I was left speechless.…