Nairo Quintana's farewell to cycling - Colombian great joined by legends at special event to celebrate his career
Cycling
Nairo Quintana is now part of cycling history. Last Sunday, at Il Lombardia, the Colombian officially hung up his professional racing bike, bringing to a close a career that saw him win the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España and become one of Latin American cycling’s leading figures. His farewell, however, had another chapter back home, where thousands of fans gathered to accompany him on a very special day.
Cartagena de Indias provided the setting for this tribute, hosting the Gran Fondo de Nairo Quintana, which brought together 6,900 amateur cyclists from 21 countries. The Colombian city turned out for one of its greatest sporting heroes at an event that went beyond cycling and recognised the mark the Boyacá-born rider left on the sport during his years at the top.
The event also had a strong nostalgic note, with several illustrious names from the international peloton in attendance. Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez, Samuel Sánchez and Rigoberto Urán joined Quintana for the day, sharing the road in a gathering of riders from different generations of recent cycling.
Their presence made the event more than a mass participation ride. It was a chance to celebrate the career of a rider who reached the summit of Grand Tours and for years was one of Colombia’s leading hopes in the biggest races on the calendar.
A farewell alongside cycling legends
The Gran Fondo also offered fans a choice of routes to suit their fitness levels. The most demanding covered 186 kilometres, starting from Cartagena’s historic corridor and passing through seven municipalities in the department of Bolívar: Turbaco, Arjona, Soplaviento, Mahates, San Estanislao, Villanueva and Santa Rosa de Lima.
Two more accessible options were also available. The Medio Fondo covered 106 kilometres, while the Retadores route stretched for 50 kilometres. The three distances gave cyclists of all levels the chance to take part in the farewell to one of the country’s best-known athletes.
The event’s impact extended beyond the roads. The Gran Fondo Nairo Fest 2026 became a major boost for tourism and the regional economy, attracting more than 20,000 visitors and bringing hotel occupancy close to 80%, according to figures provided by organisers and local authorities.
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Nairo’s farewell also boosts Cartagena
Estimates put the event’s economic impact at around 20 million dollars, benefiting sectors including tourism, hospitality and services.
Quintana’s farewell brought thousands of fans and cycling legends together around a career that has now officially ended. Il Lombardia marked the end of his racing days, but Cartagena showed that the bond between Nairo and his supporters goes far beyond results and victories.
The Colombian retires having achieved some of the greatest honours in professional cycling. His final large-scale tribute at home was a testament to the admiration he still commands among those who have followed his career for more than a decade.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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