"I've never taken Tramadol" - Quintana reacts to decision to Tour de France disqualification

Nairo Quintana has today been informed of the final decision from the UCI and the anti-doping authorities that his defense was not successful. Quintana has already reacted to the decision in a video, contesting the case which has seen the results from his Tour de France stripped.

"Unfortunately, the result was not good for me, but I can assure you that in my career I have taken more than 300 doping tests and never returned a positive result," the Colombian said in a video shared on social media hours after the decision. "I also know that I've never taken Tramadol, but that's something I'll show later. I will do this in an explanation, showing how we presented my defense and the steps we took in doing so.”

Quintana tested positive for the painkiller tramadol twice during the Tour de France. Although he has not been suspended, his results and UCI points from the Grand Boucle have been removed from his and Arkéa Samsic's tally, and he will no longer stay with the team that's set to rise to World Tour level. Besides that, his contract situation remains very difficult, and takes a further hit with the confirmation of his disqualification.

“But now the storm has to pass, life goes on. We look to the future and I know that I have the support of my family, my country and my friends," he continued. "I will give an interview soon with all the information," Quintana promises, albeit unclear on how that is to be done.