Nairo Quintana presented a discreet performance at the recent Tour Colombia, falling well short of what would have been expected. Now it has been revealed that the Movistar Team cyclist has tested positive for Covid-19 and will have to postpone his return to European cycling.
The Spanish team announced that Nairo will not compete in The Gran Camiño, the race that would be his return to European roads after spending 2023 blank. Nairo himself commented in a video that he tested positive for Covid-19.
“I couldn’t go out to train”
“I couldn’t go out to train, I finished the Tour Colombia very sick, I felt really bad, I caught the flu, when I got home I tested positive for Covid, so my return to Europe will be postponed until the coronavirus disappears, I can’t make the Camiño.”
The virus not only prevented the Colombian from delivering the level of performance he expected in his home race, but also hindered his preparation for the Giro d’Italia. After the Gran Camiño, Quintana had hopes of racing the Volta a Catalunya and the Itzulia Basque Country.