Vuelta a Espana leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar) failed to gain any time on Chris Froome (Sky) on the race's toughest stage 14, but the Colombian did not visibly express any kind of disappointment at the summit of the Aubisque, saying instead about that "we have to be satisfied because we gave it everything we have."
Quintana attacked up to six times on the Aubisque, but his surging drives on the upper slopes of the special category climb failed to dent Froome's armour. In what could have been a crucial development in the race, this was the first time since the race left Ourense that Quintana had not dropped Froome on the Vuelta's toughest longer climbs.
Although the Briton did not counter attack or finally roar past Quintana - as he has done on the shorter ascents of the Ezaro and Peña Cabarga in response to moves - Froome's ability to resist Quintana's uphill attacks on the Aubisque leave the Briton looking ever stronger for the GC, and still the favourite for overall victory in Madrid.
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Quintana's lead of 54 seconds remains intact, but given the Colombian has said he would need three minutes to win the Vuelta before Friday's time trial in Benidorm, not being able to drop Froome has left him looking dangerously exposed.
"It's not maddening that we can't leave him behind, but you do think about what this means, and how he is holding on so well when I attack" Quintana admitted.
"I have to be pleased with not losing time on him," which was the minimum objective for Quintana prior to the stage, "and I have got good legs. There are hard days to come, too."
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