Nairo Quintana wants to continue his professional cycling career

Quintana seeks new pro team

"I want to compete again, to feel the pain in my legs, but also the satisfaction of a victory or of having given my best," said Quintana at a press conference in Colombia's capital Bogotá, as reported by the Colombian newspaper "El Tiempo". The 32-year-old was thus countering media reports that he had decided to give up professional cycling. Instead, he wants to look for a new team.

Serious stand after Tramadol offence

The former Giro and Vuelta winner from Colombia was the sixth place in the 2022 Tour de France cancelled after the Use of the painkiller Tramadol had been detected. According to the UCI, Tramadol is not a doping offence, but a violation of the medical rules of the cycling world federation. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had rejected the climbing specialist's appeal. A ban has been imposed by the Tramadol offence Quintanas did not result.

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Continental team not an option for Quintana

Quintana then ended his season prematurely and also gave up his Farewell to the French Arkea-Samsic team known. It is not yet known where the two-time Tour de France runner-up will continue to ride. A start for the Colombian Continental team Medellin, for which ex-Astana rider Miguel Angel Lopez also rides, is out of the question for Quintana. The climbing specialist and successful tour rider thanked the Colombian teams in Bogotá for offering him a place. "My interest, however, is to keep the country's flag flying high in the big races of the world," said Quintana.

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