Quintana awarded stage win, leads Tour of Romandie overall

MORGINS, Switzerland (AP) Nairo Quintana was awarded victory, and took the overall lead, after stage two of the Tour of Romandie on Thursday when Ilnur Zakarin was demoted for impeding him.

Zakarin, the defending champion from Russia, finished first in a head-to-head sprint to complete a climb to the Morgins ski station but veered to his right across Quintana's racing line in the final 50 meters.

Quintana seemed beaten anyway but got the first place plus time bonuses that lifted the Colombian 18 seconds ahead of Zakarin in the overall standings.

A chasing pack headed by Rui Costa of Portugal was 26 seconds back and included the yellow jersey of Spain's Jon Izagirre. He slipped to third overall, 20 seconds behind his Movistar teammate Quintana.

Two-time Romandie winner Chris Froome of Britain lost all chance of a third title in the six-day race when he had a puncture as the main contenders prepared to make their move. He finished more than 17 minutes back.

Friday's stage is a 15-kilometer (9.4-mile) time trial around Sion.