The signing of Nairo Quintana by Movistar Team at the beginning of the 2024 season was a surprise. After a blank year caused by his positive for tramadol in the 2022 Tour de France, the Colombian climber had another chance in WorldTour cycling in the team with which he achieved the greatest successes of his career.
Together with CiclismoAlDia's Juan Larra, we analyse this possibility. The story did not begin as a fairy tale, since in his first race dressed again in blue, the Tour Colombia, Quintana could not shine because of what seemed at first a flu and that ended up turning out to be the coronavirus.
This meant that he had to stay in Colombia for longer than desired, including several weeks without training: his return to Europe was delayed. So, after not being able to race O Gran Camiño, he was finally able to return in the Volta a Catalunya, although logically not in the best form and unable to shine. The week ended with Nairo's crash in the last stage, withdraw and more time off without training. No Itzulia and Tour of the Alps then for Quintana, meaning he'd reach the Corsa Rosa with no race rhythm.
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So, with hardly any competition in his legs and with less training than desired, Nairo Quintana landed in the Giro d'Italia 2024 making it very clear that he was not in shape to fight for a place in the general classification and that he would try to fight for a stage win.
DECISION CRITICIZED
Movistar's decision to take to the Giro a rider who, as explained above, seemed that he would not be able to contribute anything, was criticized. However, Nairo has proved many wrong.
The winner of Vuelta, Giro and several times on the Tour podium has once again demonstrated his class. At 34 years old, he hasn't lost his shine and, after a few early days spent picking up kilometers, since the second week he's been one of the most active riders in the breakaways, has come close to winning the queen stage (only Pogacar took it from him) and has worked for his colleague Einer Rubio.
So, maybe some may think it's too early to consider it, but Movistar Team has just lost Oier Lazkano (to BORA - hansgrohe) and is not about to lose more important pieces in its roster. Nairo was a question mark, but seeing what he is capable of doing in a 222 km high mountain stage it wouldn't be a bad idea to sign him for another year and secure a veteran who can surely give you valuable UCI points in 2025.
Let us know what you think in the comments.
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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💙 🏔️ Results of the Cima Coppi at the Passo Sella: 🥇 🇮🇹 Giulio Pellizzari (VBF) 🥈 🇨🇴 @NairoQuinCo (MOV) 🥉 🇫🇷 @alafpolak1 (SOQ) #GirodItalia
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