07/06/2023

Nairo Quintana likely to race Vuelta a Colombia in a return to stage-racing

Nairo Quintana continues without resolving his future in international cycling. The renowned cyclist from Boyacá has been looking for opportunities to return to racing with a European team, but so far he has not found the right option. However, an interesting possibility has recently arisen in Colombia that could allow him to race a stage race in the coming months.

It's been almost a year since Quintana last competed in a stage race, and his home country is looking for options to prevent this statistic from growing. The proposed solution is none other than the Vuelta a Colombia 2023. The idea is to form a block of cyclists to represent the Colombian national team and compete in this South American round that will start on June 16.

Nairo Quintana publishes data from a beastly training session "selling out" to WorldTour teams

If this proposal is carried out, the organization of the Vuelta a Colombia could count on the presence of Nairo Quintana, winner of the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, in the nine stages of the race. The Cycling Federation confirmed this possibility in an interview with 'Ciclismo Colombiano'.

"The possibility that Nairo Quintana could race the Vuelta a Colombia 2023 with the Colombian National Team is open, of course it is," said federation president Mauricio Vargas.

Miguel Ángel López, clear favourite to win the Tour de Colombia

The most recent precedent of a similar situation occurred at the 2023 Road Nationals. On that occasion, Quintana competed in the elite men's race without a team. The boyacense competed representing the call of Fedeciclismo and achieved a meritorious third place in Bucaramanga.

If Nairo Quintana agrees to participate in the Vuelta a Colombia with the Colombian National Team, it would be great news for cycling fans in the country. Seeing the talented rider facing the best Colombian cyclists in a renowned national competition would be a spectacle not to be missed.

Mathieu van der Poel: "I want to ride my best Tour yet"

Quintana continues to train and look for opportunities to return to compete at the highest level. The Vuelta a Colombia could be the perfect platform for him to prove his worth and regain his confidence before embarking on new challenges on the international stage. Colombian cycling fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement and confirmation of Nairo Quintana's participation in this exciting stage race.