Nairo Quintana signs one-year contract with Movistar

Former Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España winner Nairo Quintana has signed a one-year deal with Movistar for 2024.

The 33-year-old had been without a team since the end of 2022 after testing positive for Tramadol twice during the Tour de France. Following his positive tests he was dropped by his then team Arkéa Samsic, despite having just signed a contract extension.

Tramadol was not on the WADA banned list at that time but is prohibited by the sport's governing body, the UCI.

As a result of his Tramadol positives Quintana struggled throughout most of 2023 to find a team. He was linked to a number of squads, including Bahrain Victorious, Soudal QuickStep and Lidl Trek, but he returns to Movistar, where he had his best years on the bike.

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“It’s super emotional for me to be back home. It’s been such a tough year," Quintana said.

"The sleepless nights, so many days of sacrifice, going on my bike and trying to keep pushing, under the rain or the scorching sun. But it was all worth it. I won’t waste this opportunity," he added.

"I know the values of the team, the values of sport. I will give my everything do things right, and I want to help the team achieve the best results. I’m so incredibly thankful to the Movistar Team, Telefónica, the squad, the whole squad, for this great opportunity, which I’ve been waiting for for so long. With all my heart and my legs, I’ll do my best to make them, as well as the fans, happy and proud. I hope this era now starting will be a really successful one for the team.”

Quintana represented Movistar between 2012 and 2019 and won the Giro d'Italia in 2014, and the Vuelta a España in 2016. He also finished second in the 2013 and 2015 Tours de France and third in the 2016 edition.

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Movistar have been active throughout the transfer market this year. The Spanish WorldTour team has already announced that Davide Formolo and Rémi Cavagna have signed for 2024, while Matteo Jorgenson has moved to Jumbo-Visma.

The Spanish team had been on the hunt for a new Grand Tour contender and signed a letter of intent with Carlos Rodríguez but the rider decided to extend his contract with Ineos Grenadiers. Movistar were also linked to Primož Roglič before the Slovenian agreed to join Bora-Hansgrohe.

On the racing side, Quintana will add depth and experience to the team. At 33, his best years are probably behind him, but Movistar are willing to take a chance on the veteran.

What do you make of the signing and can you see Quintana rolling back the years and being a Grand Tour contender? Let us know in the comments below.

Movistar Team

• Nationality Spain
• Founded 2018
• Team Principal Sebastián Unzué
• UCI Code MOV
• Bike Sponsor Canyon