Vuelta Espana winner Primoz Roglic believes Nairo Quintana is well-placed to mount a serious challenge for this year’s Tour de France.

The Colombian, who finished second at the Tour behind Chris Froome in both 2013 and 2015, came eighth in 2019, more than five minutes off the pace of winner and fellow countryman Egan Bernal.

But coming off the back of overall victories at the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var and Tour de la Provence, as well as storming to glory in the final mountain stage of Paris-Nice, many are now talking up his chances at the three-week stage race.

And Roglic, who will face competition from members of his own team in the form of Tom Dumoulin and Steven Kruijswijk as the likes of Quintana, feels the South American is dangerous heading into the postponed Tour.

Speaking to AS Colombia, he said; "I think it was a good decision because at the beginning of the season he had some very good victories.

"But we must see how the return is for us all at the start of the calendar. I don't think he has any disadvantages because he's at Arkéa.

"He has already shown how strong he is this year. In the Tour it will be difficult to stop him."

Roglic finished fourth at the 2018 edition of the Tour but did not take part last year as he focused on the Giro d’Italia where he placed third, and the Vuelta which he won.

The Tour was initially scheduled to begin at the end of June but due to the coronavirus pandemic it has now been pushed back and will start on August 29.

This means riders will have to either work towards peaking at the end of summer or maintain a high level of fitness until then.