Nairo Quintana saving the battle with Alberto Contador for the Tour de France

Nairo Quintana claims Alberto Contador offered him the win on Saturday's stage at the Route du Sud, but the Colombian didn't want to risk attacking the descent

Nairo Quintana at the 2015 Tour de San Luis

(Image credit: Graham Watson)

Alberto Contador may have laid a Tour de France marker at the Route du Sud on Saturday, but rival Nairo Quintana insists he didn't want to engage the Spaniard in battle before the big race.

Contador attacked the Movistar rider on the descent from Port de Bales - the final climb of the day - to take victory in the queen stage by 13 seconds, and with it a likely overall victory.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.