Quintana in urgent position to find new team, as Astana interest "is not true" Vinokourov confirms
Cycling
Nairo Quintana is currently in a race against time. Following his positive tests for tramadol, contract discussions have become very complicated for the Colombian, who is yet to find a contract for 2023 and is unsure to find a World Tour team willing to sign him into the incoming season.
Quintana had just agreed on a new three-year deal with Arkéa Samsic, but was later found to have tested positive for the painkiller tramadol during the Tour de France - on two different days. Although he was not suspended, this saw his sixth place's points and result taken down, with his defense currently ongoing. However, his deal with the French team, where he was instrumental for the World Tour promotion into the incoming years, has been nullified.
Rumours surged over a possible contact with a World Tour French team, with Cofidis said to not be it, and AG2R Citroën Team denying any contacts. Groupama - FDJ have not publicly stated anything regarding the rumours, however in the past few days it was suggested that Quintana could link up with Astana Qazaqstan Team, a move that for many, made sense.
However, that is not quite the case. Being asked about it, team manager Alexander Vinokourov himself has confirmed there is no interest in the 32-year old. “At the moment, the team is completing its transfer campaign. In principle, we have already discussed and filled all positions within the team for next year. I also read the information that there would be interest in Quintana, but that is not true," he said.
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Hence, the rope tightens around Quintana's future in pro cycling. Although he is not suspended, it is unlikely that any team will be willing to have a large cut of their budget in Quintana, specially in light of recent events.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- She deviated from her line - end of
leedorney10-11-2026 - If I was Lucinda Brand, I'd refuse to wear the jersey. Is there a rule that she "has to" wear it, as the winner? It would certainly feel like stolen valor.wrsty10-11-2026
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- 🐐❤️Lozza09-11-2026
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Brucegel09-11-2026 - McNulty winning was beneficial in ensuring the rainbow jersey would not remain winless
Front24209-11-2026
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