:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/XRUZV5ZEUFDPBEJEWZHSW4FHWY.jpg "Video: Nairo Quintana tests himself in rock descent in Mexico 1")
Early 2023 for Nairobi Quintanaafter his disqualification from the Tour de France by the OPC for alleged use of tramadol and after his unsuccessful appeal to the THIS, This has not been easy. Although there have been rumors about the retirement of the Boyacá cyclist and winner of the Tour of Italy and the Back to Spain, at a press conference on January 25, 2023, confirmed that he would continue his sports career after leaving Arkéa-Samsic due to the sanction. His goal since then has been to find a new team to return to compete in major European races and speak to the UCI about the decision taken.
Nairo Quintana sealed an important deal in Mexico while defining his future
The 33-year-old Colombian cyclist finds himself without a team after leaving Arkéa Samsic
After participating in the National Road Championships held in Bucaramanga during the first week of February and where he finished third, Nairo traveled to Mexico to work on the organization of the Large backyard, an event that reaches its second edition after the first held in October 2022 in the city of San Luis Potosí. This is a tour where cyclists of all categories can participate, from road to MTB where they can socialize with the Colombian himself during the tour.
While working in the organization of the race with the authorities of San Luis Potosi, Nairo uses his free time for other recreational activities. In the cyclist’s Instagram stories, collected in turn by the account @lapaginadeportiva, the Colombian can be seen testing himself during a descent of rocks on the outskirts of the city in northeastern Mexico.
The video received favorable comments from his followers, who are waiting for the moment when Nairo can get back on the bike with a World Tour team, despite the fact that this scenario is made more complex by the veto to which the rules of the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC), signed by the majority of the teams of the international peloton in their fight against doping.
Arkéa-Samsic boss blasted Nairo Quintana again and said he felt betrayed
The Colombian rider left the France team at the end of September 2022 and since then he has not found a squad to compete
This happens, despite the fact that tramadol is not classified as a doping or performance-enhancing substance, since it is an opioid painkiller typically used to soothe muscle discomfort. Hence Nairo’s interest in meeting the UCI, as it is an entity that is above the MPCC and is the only one who can resolve his current situation.
Although there were rumors that spoke of a possible interest from the Eolo Kometa team, created by former cyclist and Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, on Wednesday February 22, it was confirmed that he n There had been no contact between the parties to date. It would be the fourth team to rule out the possibility of adding Nairo to their squad after reports that placed him in Team Corratec, Groupama – FDJ or AG2R in the previous weeks.
Movement for Credible Cycling rules surpass UCI rules: Nairo Quintana has been the most affected
The Boyacá rider would be the target of a veto that the MPCC cannot apply and that the UCI has not applied. Your reputation has been affected by rules that don’t apply to you
Fran Contador, team manager and brother of Alberto, explained to Semana that this information was not true and that it was based on a misinterpretation of his remarks:
“It’s a bullet that I think was created from an interview last week, taking words a bit out of context from a question I was asked about Nairo. We’re not considering the ‘incorporation of Nairobi’
In turn, he maintained that his current situation “is a disgrace”, but he was optimistic that a team would open the doors for him to show his talent again.
Recall that Eolo Kometa is not linked to the MPCC, which initially made this destination a reasonable destination for Nairo in his desire to compete on European roads again.