25/06/2023

Market: Another team closes the door in Nairo Quintana's face

Cycling market: UAE Team Emirates has been one of the teams that has sounded that Nairo Quintana could end up riding in the WorldTour this season, but one of its leaders, Joxean Fernández Matxín, has ruled it out.

Within the ranks of the United Arab Emirates team there are two Colombian riders, Juan Sebastián Molano and Álvaro Hodeg. They could have been joined by Nairo Quintana, but the team decided not to include him in their plans.

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Matxín, sports director of UAE Tean Emirates, made this known by highlighting the quality and trajectory of Nairo in world cycling: "The quality he possesses is indisputable," he said in an interview with the Ciclismo Colombiano portal.

However, he assured that Nairo was never considered to compete in races like the next Tour de France: "At no time have we raised that option with him. We have had no conversations about it, since we even have ten riders for eight places. It would not be fair to have an external rider and leave out several who have been training with us," said 'Matxín.

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In this way, another World Tour team closes the doors to Nairo Quintana, who still does not compete after his controversial departure from Arkea Samsic. However, it is not ruled out the possibility that the talented cyclist born in Cómbita could soon return to the major cycling competitions.

On the other hand, UAE Emirates is one of the big favorites for the 2023 Tour de France, with its main card, Tadej Pogacar, aiming to wear the yellow jersey again after winning in 2020 and 2021.

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The Emirati team has shown significant growth in recent years and has a solid structure to support its riders. In addition to Pogacar, they have a group of talented cyclists who will be looking to put in a strong performance at the prestigious French race.

UAE Emirates has positioned itself as a team to be reckoned with in the international peloton, and its participation in the Tour de France will generate high expectations among cycling fans. Undoubtedly, we will be watching their performance and the possible reappearance of Nairo Quintana in the competitive scene.