Nairo Quintana is set to lead his team at the Tour de France for the first time, with nearly the same odds as Chris Froome to win.
What are his chances?
He has a strong chance of winning, given his past performances and the fact that he is only 25 years old.
Why does it matter for Nairo Quintana?
A win would make him the first South American to ever win the Tour de France, and only the third non-European after Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis had their titles stripped.
Nairo Quintana started the race on Saturday as his country's best hope in a long time.
What happened in Colombian cycling history?
The most famous moment in Colombian cycling history happened in 1985 when Luis "Lucho" Herrera won a stage despite a severe head injury.
He emerged dramatically on the run into Saint Étienne, with a deep ravine gouged into his head above his left eyebrow.
How is cycling connected to Colombian culture?
Cycling is inextricably woven into Colombian culture, with riders who were successful abroad becoming celebrities at home.
Pablo Escobar's first business was a bicycle shop, and his younger brother Roberto was an avid cyclist who won a medal at the Pan American Games.
Nairo Quintana was born in Cómbita, 9,250 feet above sea level in the heart of the Colombian Andes, near the height of the violence in the country.
He has lashed out at the violence and is now focused on winning the Tour de France.
The Tour de France boasts a strong group of contenders this decade, including Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali, but Nairo Quintana is the one they are all scared of.
Alberto Contador, the greatest stage racer of his generation, hasn’t finished a Grand Tour lower than first in over a year, but Nairo Quintana has a good chance of beating him.
Nairo Quintana's countrymen have animated the Tour and won some of the biggest races in Europe for almost 40 years, but none have yet earned the capstone of a yellow jersey.
On Saturday, Nairo Quintana started the race with the goal of becoming the first South American to win the Tour de France.
The odds are in his favor, and he has the support of his country behind him.
Nairo Quintana is ready to make history and end Europe's stranglehold on the Tour de France.
The world is watching as he takes on the best cyclists in the world, including Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali.
Only time will tell if Nairo Quintana can achieve his goal and make his country proud.
For now, he remains focused on the task at hand, determined to win the Tour de France and make history.
The stage is set for an exciting competition, with Nairo Quintana as one of the top contenders.
The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, and Nairo Quintana is ready to take it on.
With his strong performance and determination, he has a good chance of winning and making his country proud.
Nairo Quintana's journey to the top has not been easy, but he has persevered and is now one of the top cyclists in the world.
He is an inspiration to many, and his win would be a historic moment for South America and the world of cycling.
The wait is over, and the competition has begun.
Nairo Quintana is ready to take on the challenge and make his mark on the world of cycling.
The world is watching, and the stage is set for an exciting competition.
Nairo Quintana is focused and determined to win the Tour de France and make history.
He has the support of his country and the odds in his favor.
Now it's up to him to perform and make his dream a reality.
The Tour de France is a challenging event, but Nairo Quintana is ready for it.
He has trained hard and is determined to win.
The world of cycling is waiting to see what he can do.
Nairo Quintana is a talented cyclist with a strong chance of winning the Tour de France.
He is an inspiration to many and a role model for young cyclists.
His win would be a historic moment for South America and the world of cycling.
The competition is fierce, but Nairo Quintana is ready to take it on.
He is focused and determined to make his dream a reality.
The stage is set for an exciting competition, and the world is watching.
Nairo Quintana is ready to make history and end Europe's stranglehold on the Tour de France.
The wait is over, and the competition has begun.
Now it's up to Nairo Quintana to perform and make his dream a reality.