Nairo Quintana optimistic of return to racing in Europe - "It is very nice to see all the affection of the people and the faces of gratitude"

Nairo Quintana lived one of the most important moments of his long career in the past Colombian Road Nationals. The former Movistar Team and Arkéa Samsic rider finished third in the very tough race held in Bucaramanga, which made him get emotional on the podium thanking his compatriots for their support in the most complicated moments of his professional life.

The former winner of the Vuelta a España and the Giro d'Italia and several times on the podium of the Tour de France wanted to thank his countrymen for the strong encouragement he received and also sent a message to those who, let's say, have put some stones in his path:

"It is very nice to see all the affection of the people and the faces of gratitude, those smiles are not paid with anything. Sometimes you meet people who are very contemptuous," statements collected by Ciclismo Colombiano.

After making sure that his cycling tour (El Gran Fondo Nairo Quintana) will take place one more year in Mexico, Nairoman has traveled to Europe to try to reach an agreement with a World Tour or second-tier team that will allow him to compete in the best races of the world calendar.

The latest information from Colombia leaked by the climber's entourage speaks positively of the new situation with the UCI, which would be more receptive to Nairo could end up signing for a squad without hindering him.