Team Corratec deny deep contacts with Nairo Quintana: "Not even the Pope can perform miracles"

Italian Team Corratec has been on an all-time high exposure run lately, as they were given a wildcard for the Giro d'Italia in their first attempt as a pro team, and many have connected Nairo Quintana to the squad.

"Actually, there has been no negotiation," team owner Serge Parsani said in an interview with Mundo Ciclísto. "It was a request to our team from Nairo's representative if we were interested in signing him." The Colombian is travelling to Europe and he has been rumoured to be in contact with the Italian team, who has on social media been active regarding the subject.

"But we're a small team that doesn't have the financial capability to have a rider like him," he explains. "It's very difficult because, at this level of sponsorship, we have no chance." Although the desire would be there, Gazzetta dello Sport's report proves to be small, and the team doesn't seem to be keen on the signing.

Not only for financial reasons, but because of Quintana's Tramadol case which saw him in this whirlpool of problems. "At the end of December, we registered with the MPCC, who fight against problems with drugs such as tramadol. The ASO also asked us to join and at the moment it is difficult to make an agreement with Nairo."

Taking into consideration both factors, it is safe to say Quintana will not be joining Corratec, who signed several former World Tour riders in order to have a quality team towards the 2023 season. The Colombian in the meantime remains in a difficult position with no apparent serious negotiations.

"We'd need the UCI to give Nairo a hand by allowing him to join a WorldTour squad because we're all in the MPCC. Only teams who aren't in it – like Soudal-QuickStep, UAE Team Emirates, and others – would be able to sign him. We would have to resort to a miracle. But today, not even the Pope can perform miracles and it is very difficult to do so," Parsani concluded.