More than a year ago, the cycling world was shaken by the news of Nairo Quintana’s disqualification from the 2022 Tour de France after testing positive for Tramadol. This scandal not only cost him participation in the race but also his departure from the Arkea Samsic team.
Despite the complications he faces in signing with another team, Nairo Quintana continues to work to stay in shape. The Colombian cyclist takes advantage of his free time to train and reconnect with old friends who shared memorable stages of his career.
In a recent demonstration of his determination and love for cycling, Nairo met up with three of his former teammates from Movistar Team: Spanish rider Jonathan Castroviejo, who now competes for INEOS Grenadiers; Andrey Amador from Costa Rica, who is part of Education First; and Portuguese rider Rui Oliveira. Together, they rode on rocky terrain, sharing anecdotes and experiences.
These four cyclists were part of the Spanish team between 2016 and 2017, a period in which Nairo Quintana reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the Vuelta a España, with Castroviejo as one of his key domestiques. This reunion represents not only an opportunity to reminisce about the glorious moments of the past but also to reaffirm the bonds of friendship that have been built along the way.
New team coming soon
Amid speculations about his future in professional cycling, Dayer Quintana, Nairo’s brother and also a professional cyclist, gave an interview in which he revealed that his brother is working on negotiations with a new team with the aim of returning to competition in 2024. Dayer emphasized that the official news will be announced in due course by Nairo, maintaining the mystery and anticipation surrounding his sporting future.
