Colombia Oro y Paz: Bernal bags overall victory in explosive finale

Nairo Quintana predicted war but in the end there was peace. Of course, there were winners and losers, but once the dust had settled after a spectacular climax to the inaugural edition of the Colombia Oro y Paz, all parties seemed to leave content.

Egan Bernal because he'd pulled off a dramatic heist on the 20km climb to Manizales to snatch the overall title. Nairo Quintana, whom Bernal divested of the pink jersey, because his brother Dayer won the stage from the breakaway. Dayer Quintana, of course, because he won the stage from the breakaway – only the third victory of his career. Rigoberto Urán because he'd already won a stage and was now on the final podium behind Bernal and Quintana. Sergio Henao because of Bernal, even if he was supposed to be Sky's leader.

All of them because of the staggering crowds and the roaring success of the inaugural edition of Colombia's first ever UCI 2.1 race – the 'Gold and Peace'.

"Sometimes the result doesn't matter," said Urán in the media zone in Manizales, to a background of 'Rigo, Rigo' chants. "I really believe that it's more of a victory seeing all these people here, screaming their lungs out, not only for the 'top' riders but for everyone, no matter their race number. This has great significance for Colombian cycling. Cycling is a sport that unites the country, so thank you everyone for this immense show of love."

The crowds weren't just flooding the streets around the finish line, but all the way down the climb as well.

"When I attacked my team were talking to me through the radio and I couldn't even hear what they were saying because of all the people shouting," said a beaming Bernal.

The precocious Colombian, plucked from Androni by Team Sky in the off-season, made his move around three kilometres from the summit. Henao was one spot above him on GC and the nominal team leader, but Sky's intentions were plain to see from Tao Geoghegan Hart and Sebastián Henao's presence in the break.

As Bernal linked up with his teammates and made his way to overall victory, it was heartbreak for Rodrigo Contreras (EPM) for the second day in a row. The 'forgotten' Colombian was out on his own for much of the climb but was overhauled in the final kilometre. Dayer Quintana, who had similarly been placed in the break to act as a bridge for Nairo, couldn't hear his radio, either, and decided to press on for the stage win – "to at least make sure of something for ourselves".

Bernal crossed the line 10 seconds later with Sebastián Henao just behind. At that point, every bonus second seemed crucial but in the end he would still have scraped it without them.

"It was a great day, the team did a great job," said Bernal. "We had the opportunity to try something and in truth, I had very good legs from the bottom of the climb and I felt good. We had the opportunity, with support from Tao and Sebas, so it all worked out perfectly."

For the Colombia Oro y Paz, it all worked out perfectly, too. The race has been billed as a landmark moment not just for Colombian cycling but also the country as a whole as it continues its transition towards peace after decades of internal conflict.

And it has truly been a celebration of Colombia and Colombian cycling. After Fernando Gaviria gave the country three stage victories in as many days, the nation's most adored climbers put on a show that more than lived up to the hype that characterised the build-up to this race.

The level of support was impressive enough in Palmira for the opening stages but it seemed to grow and grow as the race went on, culminating in the 'locura' – the madness – at Manizales. For a category 2.1 race, the crowds were simply ridiculous. Even if it was impossible to move – Nairo Quintana needed 20 police and security officials to get him from the podium to his bus – it was impossible not to be infected by the sheer joy of it all.

There was a visceral wave of noise when Bernal, Quintana, Urán, and points jersey winner Fernando Gaviria were called out onto the podium, followed by hearty chants of their names. As Urán said, even the foreigners from the smaller teams had been roared over the line, most of them unable to stifle their smiles.

"This is what we all wanted, to see this amount of people, all united through sport and, in this case, through cycling," said Urán.

"I think what's happened here at this race is a clear sign of what cycling can do. It has been a convincing advert for the country, it has united a lot of regions here and, really, that's what cycling brings us; it brings us happiness, joy, peace, and unity."

The Oro y Paz truly lived up to its name.

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