Nairo Quintana says 'keep calm', he’s got a team for next season
The Colombian has been rumoured with a number of WorldTour teams
After weeks of uncertainty about his future, Nairo Quintana has confirmed that he has found a team for the 2023 road season.
The Colombian announced his exit from Arkéa-Samsic last month, six weeks after he was disqualified from the 2022 Tour de France after returning two positive blood samples for the painkiller tramadol.
Speaking to Colombian publication AS at the launch of his new café on Wednesday, Quintana revealed that he has joined a new team for next season. “We have to keep calm, though,” he said. “Later on I’ll tell you about the decisions I’ve taken and what will happen with my future.”
Asked if his new team competes at WorldTour level, Quintana dodged the question. “Later on we’ll comment on everything to do with the team and my career,” he said, before adding that he'll meet Arkéa-Samsic in races "as rivals".
Earlier this week, the two-time Grand Tour winner told Colombian outlet EFE that he will be competing on the WorldTour next season.
“The idea is to stay motivated to win races and represent my country,” he said. “That’s what I have in mind. I’ll carry on strongly and next year I’ll be there in the big ones.
“Next year for sure you’re going to see Nairo Quintana on screen competing in one of your favourite races.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
A number of WorldTour teams have already denied rumours of signing the Colombian, with AG2R Citroën, Astana-Qazaqstan and Bahrain-Victorious all ruling out a possible move. Of course, Quintana could sign for one of cycling's ProTeams, who often receive invites to compete in WorldTour races.
Earlier this month, the UCI’s decision to disqualify the former Arkéa-Samsic rider from the 2022 Tour de France was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Quintana maintains, however, that he has never used tramadol, a substance due to be banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from 2024.
In a video shared on Twitter, the Colombian said: “With pride I can say that, throughout my long sporting career, I've been through more than 300 anti-doping controls, which makes more or less three a month, and I've never had any problem with doping.
“I have many reasons to not do it and to have not taken this product. Sadly, the CAS result came out like this."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
-
TV coverage of a bike race can leave you with a strange impression of a country
TV footage is deceptive so choose your illusion wisely
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel dominates in Leuven to win Gravel World Championships
The Dutchman adds another World Championship title to his palmarès as he solos to victory in the Flemish Brabant
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
Nairo Quintana says he's not retiring. What next?
The Colombian, let go by Arkéa-Samsic last year, is still without a team, but wants to race on
By Adam Becket Published
-
AG2R Citroën deny interest in signing Nairo Quintana
Options are running out for the Colombian, as is time
By Adam Becket Published
-
Nairo Quintana withdraws from Vuelta a España: 'I will assert my reasons before the Court of Arbitration for Sport'
The UCI announced the Colombian had tested positive for tramadol twice at the Tour de France, and has been retroactively disqualified
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Nairo Quintana disqualified from Tour de France after twice testing positive for tramadol
The Colombian will still race at the Vuelta a España because it is not considered a doping violation
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Arkéa-Samsic manager says they are 'at the gates of the WorldTour' with aims to join in 2023
The team of Nairo Quintana will get an automatic invite to every WorldTour race in 2022
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Nairo Quintana in talks to sign for André Greipel's Arkéa-Samsic team, according to reports
French media reports the Colombian is in advanced discussions with the Breton team
By Jonny Long Published
-
Nairo Quintana knocked off by fan but still wins Tour Colombia queen stage
Home fans may have become a little too involved in the action at Tour Colombia, after Nairo Quintana was knocked from his bike by a spectator.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Colombia reveals formidable World Championships 2018 team, including Nairo Quintana and Miguel Angel Lopez
The Colombian team for the World Championships in Austria has been revealed, and it includes some of the strongest climbers in the peloton.
By Alex Ballinger Published