Nairo Quintana wins 2016 Vuelta a España as Magnus Cort Nielsen takes final stage

Magnus Cort Nielsen (Orica-BikeExchange) takes final stage sprint into Madrid as Nairo Quintana (Movistar) confirms his 2016 Vuelta a España title

The Colombian has officially won the race with Sunday’s processional final stage 21 into Madrid where Magnus Cort Nielsen won the final dramatic sprint ahead of Daniele Bennati and Gianni Meersman.

Nairo Quintana, age 26, is now winner of Giro, Vuelta, Tirreno, Pais Vasco, Catalunya, Romandie, and 3-time Tour de France podium finisher!

Tour de France champion Froome had taken a huge chunk out of Quintana’s lead in Friday’s time trial and knew his last chance was to launch a devastating attack in the final climbs on Saturday's penultimate stage 20.

Froome duly obliged, repeatedly trying to surge away from Movistar’s Quintana and reduce the one minute 21 seconds gap on the Alto Aitana climb, but he could not break his rival and ended up no closer.

“I had no problem following Froome. He started to attack very early. That’s expected, and we were very attentive,” Quintana said.

“The team was always very concentrated and we could keep everything under control all the time. Finally, on the climb I felt very good and I had no trouble countering Froome’s surges.”

Quintana even had the strength to accelerate away from Froome at the finish to claim 10th spot - his Team Sky rival seemingly applauding the Colombian.

Froome, who was attempting to become the first man to win the Tour de France and Vuelta in the same season since Bernard Hinault in 1978 has settled for second spot.

Esteban Chaves (Orica - BikeExchange) slipped ahead of Alberto Contador to reclaim third place overall.

Stage 21 Vuelta Results, Top 10

1. Magnus Cort Nielsen (den)
2. Daniele Bennati (ita) s.t.
3. Gianni Meersman (bel) s.t.
4. Kristian Sbaragli (ita) s.t.
5. Nikias Arndt (ger) s.t.
6. Lorrenzo Manzin (fra) s.t.
7. Romain Hardy (fra) s.t.
8. Jhonatan Restrepo (col) s.t.
9. Rüdiger Selig (ger) s.t.
10. Salvatore Puccio (ita) s.t.

Final GC 2016 Vuelta a Espana Results, Top 10

1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Chris Froome (gbr) + 1.23
3. Esteban Chaves (col) + 4.08
4. Alberto Contador (spa) + 4.21
5. Andrew Talansky (usa) + 7.43
6. Simon Yates (gbr) + 8.33
7. David de la Cruz (spa) + 11.18
8. Daniel Moreno (spa) + 13.04
9. Davide Formolo (ita) + 13.14
10. George Bennett (nzl) + 14.07