"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

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.