"It's important to start riding and help Enric Mas" - Nairo Quintana still feeling effects of Covid as he begins Volta a Catalunya

Nairo Quintana is looking forward to his return to European roads for the first time since the 2022 Tour de France. He does it in the Volta a Catalunya, a race that he won in the past and that brings him very good memories:

"Joy again, since 2011 when I started racing this race, my first WorldTour race, with many joys in between, like winning it once, winning stages, it fills me with joy," the Colombian smiles in a post-stage interview. The Movistar Team rider makes it clear that this is a first test and that he will be in Catalunya to get into the rhythm and to support Enric Mas in the general classification.

"It's been very difficult, it's been very difficult to recover, it's been the hardest thing I've ever had," he says referring to his recent Covid diagnosis. "But well, little by little we'll get into condition. It's important to start riding and help Enric who we have very well for the overall."

The Colombian press insisted on asking him about his ambitions in a tough race and he made it clear that he will not be at his best. "It's spectacular, one of the toughest, but in the conditions I'm in I don't think I'll be as bright as usual, we'll take advantage of the good equipment we bring for the race."

The goal is clear: "To get into a rhythm and to start getting stronger after the coronavirus".