"I never lost hope of being at the start of the Giro" - Nairo Quintana to support Movistar and chase stage win at Giro d'Italia, despite rocky preparation
Cycling
Nairo Quintana makes his Grand Tour return this Saturday at the 2024 Giro d'Italia and he will be one of the riders who will be closely followed by everyone. 10 years after his triumph at the Giro, he comes in now with very different ambitions.
“I was 10 years younger. Cycling is evolving very quickly and the competition is increasingly stronger, with riders who are emerging younger and younger," Quintana said in an interview with the Portuguese Cycling Magazine. The Colombian was still finding his way through the new generation, but tested positive for Tramadol during the 2022 Tour de France, which flipped his career upside down. In 2023, he did not have a team and missed the entire season of racing although he was not suspended.
s “It is known that I had contacts with Movistar Team last year, and we immediately agreed for me to return to the team that gave me so much success in my sporting career. It was a difficult year. Many days without sleep, a huge sacrifice. I never stopped training thinking about returning to competition”.
Quintana's season however was far from ideal; contracting Covid-19 right after the Tour of Colombia which delayed his racing schedule in Europe, and then crashing twice at the Volta a Catalunya.
“At first, we thought it wasn’t that serious. But then we saw that the injury would leave me unable to compete for longer. When you’re injured there are always doubts about your recovery, but I never lost hope of being at the start of the Giro.” However he did miss Itzulia Basque Country - and then the alternative plan at the Tour of the Alps. This lack of racing, mishaps and lack of results leaves him in a rather unknown position into the Corsa Rosa.
Hence, the goal is not overly clear in Quintana's words: "My objective in 2024 is to help the team and, if it presents itself, also look for my opportunity at some point." However, it should be rather clear that the Colombian looks to chase stage wins in the mountains. Possibly, if Einer Rubio does fight for the overall classification and present himself well, then Quintana could also possibly take on a support role.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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