Movistar dismiss rumour that Nairo Quintana could leave in 2018

Stories surfaced in the Colombian press on Wednesday linking the Colombian to Sky or Astana

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Nairo Quintana won’t be set for a shock switch to Movistar rivals, Team Sky, says team boss Eusebio Unzue, after it was alleged that he was contemplating his future at the Spanish team.

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As reported by Colombian news outlet, RCN Radio, Quintana is eyeing up a move to either Team Sky or Astana after a tough year that has seen him underperform in the Giro d’Italia and now the Tour de France.

“Nairo is with two folders on his desk, an Astana folder and another on Sky. He is studying those two themes that are heating up, because the environment in the Movistar is quite complex” the sports program reported.

The news of the rider’s departure from Movistar won’t come as a surprise after his family publicly came out against the idea to ride both the Giro and the Tour.

“Colombians are protesting because of what they (Movistar) are asking Nairo to do,” Luis Quintana, his father, told Colombian outlet Radio Caracol.

“He shouldn’t have ridden the Giro if they were taking him to the Tour.”

However, Movistar manager, Eusebio Unzue was quick to quash rumours. “It’s not true that Nairo is leaving the team. His contract ends in 2019. He’s a big champion but he’s also human,” he told reporters at the Tour de France.

The Colombian’s performance at this year’s Tour de France has been subject to criticism as he sits 6-16 down on the yellow jersey. Criticism that will sting after a losing out on the Giro d’Italia crown despite having led the race on the last day.

The Tour continues today as rider’s take on stage 17 from La Mure to Serre-Chevalier.