Speculation in Colombia: Could Nairo Quintana win the Tour de France if Chris Froome is suspended for doping?

The recent suspension of former Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman for his involvement in the supply of doping substances to cyclists has triggered a wave of speculation in the cycling world. In particular, the Colombian press has begun to question the possibility that Colombia's Nairo Quintana could retroactively win the Tour de France in which he placed second, should Chris Froome be proven to have doped.

The case has led to Ciclismocolombiano, for example, to rethink the past, especially in the 2013 and 2015 editions of the Tour de France, where Nairo Quintana had remarkable performances by finishing in second place. These speculations gained strength due to Freeman's suspension and the uncertainty about whether there would be additional investigations that could implicate other cyclists and reveal a possible doping scheme in the team.

The British Cycling Federation has already taken action by accepting Freeman's suspension, but questions persist. Thus, the question being asked from Colombia is the following: Why is it not being investigated who were the recipients of the doping substances provided by the doctor?

It is important to remember that retroactive cases in the past, such as that of Lance Armstrong, led to the elimination of his Tour de France titles and left a hole in the history of victories. If Froome were proven to have doped, the situation could be similar, which would pose a dilemma regarding the final standings and who to award titles to.

As Ciclismocolombiano's colleagues comment, Christian Prudhomme, current director of the Tour de France, has made it clear that, in the event of doping and Froome's involvement being proven, the palmarès would be blank and the whole environment would be punished. This means that neither Nairo Quintana nor Rigoberto Urán, who finished second to Froome in 2017, would be recognized as retrospective winners.