"Superman" doesn't even tremble in the face of a Tyrannosaurus.

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Christophe Ena / AP / SIPA

  • Miguel Angel Lopez was the great man of the memorable 17th stage of the Tour de France, Wednesday at the top of the Col de la Loze.

  • The Colombian rider, who discovered the Grande Boucle at the age of 26, is amazing and deserved to be on the podium.

  • He could still be the big blaster of the last alpine stage, which will conclude this Thursday in La Roche-sur-Foron (Haute-Savoie).

From our special correspondent at the Col de la Loze,

“It's the best victory of my whole career.

Miguel Angel Lopez is a man of taste.

For his first participation in the Tour de France, at the age of 26, the Colombian climber chose the most prestigious setting to sign his first success there on Wednesday.

In 20 years, his name will always be attached to the entrance to the already legendary Col de la Loze in the history of the Tour.

It was necessary to switch to "Superman" mode to embark on such a number until this summit, at 2.403 m above sea level, where most runners experienced "hell" after five hours of racing.

How did the Gruppetto du Tour experience the “galley” of the Col de la Loze?

https://t.co/UKK44ijptK

- 20 Minutes (@ 20Minutes) September 16, 2020

This not unpleasant nickname, Miguel Angel Lopez did not glean it thanks to a mad ride on his bike, but by pushing back in 2013 two attackers wanting to steal his precious biclou in Bogota.

The pocket Colombian (1.64 m) got away with a right leg hit by two stab wounds, but an intact bike.

Seven years later, the rider Astana has a podium finish on the Giro and the Vuelta in 2018. This distinction has also extended its arms to him on the Grande Boucle since this 17th stage, during which he took between one and two minutes at its main rivals (Porte, Landa, Yates and Uran) for third place.

"I felt that the race was changing when I arrived in the Alps"

“At the start, my big goal for my first Tour de France was to get to Paris and make me happy,” he says timidly.

But now almost two minutes ahead of Richie Porte, he has clearly changed his gear in this third week.

“I felt that the race changed when I arrived in the Alps, said the Colombian.

I feel better here in this kind of climb, I was able to find space to place attacks.

"

What a victory !!!

🔥🔥🔥 # TDF2020 # AstanaProTeam @ LeTour @SupermanlopezN


🎥 ASO / Astana Pro Team pic.twitter.com/Fs3tWQQSsJ

- Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) September 16, 2020

Turned towards the offensive, Miguel Angel Lopez could do it again this Thursday during the last alpine challenge, with in particular on the menu the Glières plateau (summit at 1,390 m, including 6 km at 11.2%), located 30 km from the 'arrival in La Roche-sur-Foron (Haute-Savoie).

"When the passes are over 2,000 m, I feel like at home, when I train at an altitude of 2,500 m in Colombia", decrypts the one who does not fail to give "a special mention" to his teammate Omar Fraile Wednesday.

Because rubbing shoulders with a superhero seems to inspire the entire Astana team in the Alps.

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