'We will miss Alex Dowsett in the Giro d'Italia' says Nairo Quintana
The Brit wasn't selected by Movistar for the Italian Grand Tour but Quintana says he could form part of his Tour de France team
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Grand Tour star Nairo Quintana says that the Movistar team will miss Briton Alex Dowsett in their Giro d'Italia line-up over the next three weeks because of his ability to ride strongly over flat roads and through cross-winds.
>>> Tom Dumoulin: I can’t compete with Nibali and Quintana at 95 per cent
Movistar had been expected to select the 28-year-old for the Grand Tour but failed to do so when issuing the nine-man roster centred around Giro and Vuelta a España winner Quintana.
"Yes, we will miss him because he does a very specific job for us and he's key when there's a strong wind or on the flats," Quintana explained.
"But this year he also has the Hour Record and a different schedule. Plus, I'm racing the double [the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France] and Alex Dowsett will probably be a key member on my Tour de France team."
Dowsett told Cycling Weekly earlier this year that he wanted to be on both rosters to help Quintana with the Giro/Tour double.
The 28-year-old has previous success in the Giro, having won the time trial stage in the 2013 edition ahead of Bradley Wiggins. He aimed to help Quintana, but also take a shot at the two Giro time trials: one through Sagrantino's wine vineyards at the end of week one and the final stage, starting from Monza and running to Milan's duomo.
Quintana, with a fresh haircut, spoke softly behind a bank of microphones at a pre-Giro press conference. He arrived in Sardinia as the favourite after placing twice second to Chris Froome (Sky) in the Tour de France and winning the 2014 Giro, the first Colombian to do so, and the 2016 Vuelta ahead of Froome.
This year, instead of the Giro and the Vuelta, he will aim for the Giro's overall title and one month later, face Froome for the Tour title. If he succeeds, he would be the first to do so since 1998.
"Already one Giro win puts me in the history books, no other Colombian had done so before, but this year is special with the 100th edition and a special occasion for me. The last time I won, I only have good and fond memories about this race.
"Doing the double you need to first win the Giro, so first, my motivation is on the Giro. And for sure, I couldn't miss a special edition like the 100th of the Giro. It's what's on my mind. Of course, I've never done the double and [I'll] see how it goes."
Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) spoke in the same conference room before Quintana. The Frenchman mentioned the roads in Italy and said, "This is a really an Italian course, so there is some dangers every day."
Quintana tried to explain why that is. "The road surface is different, yes, I can't explain way, but the roads are different in Italy versus France,” he said.
"The race is different too. The way the riders race the Giro is probably harder than how they race the Tour de France."
Thank you for reading 10 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Where next for Nairo Quintana? Colombian claims he'll still be at WorldTour races
Bahrain-Victorious say no, Movistar are full, Astana-Qazaqstan and AG2R-Citroën have already denied interest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Nairo Quintana’s Tour de France tramadol disqualification upheld
CAS uphold the UCI decision to disqualify the Colombian after painkiller detected in blood tests
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Nairo Quintana to leave Arkéa-Samsic, six weeks after signing new contract
The Colombian is currently appealing his Tour de France disqualification
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Facing retirement, Alex Dowsett is keeping his options well and truly open
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says reaction to his retirement has been 'exciting'
By Adam Becket • Published