"The great champions need to put pressure on themselves" - Despite illness, Nairo Quintana disappointed with lack of result at Tour Colombia
Cycling
Nairo Quintana is an absolute superstar in Colombia, and was one of the riders in highlight this week at the Tour Colombia. Originally a favourite for the overall classification, 'Nairoman' was taken down by a flu which wrecked his chances of a successful comeback to the peloton.
“He had the flu, that’s what happened, nothing more. It’s nothing to worry about," team DS Pablo Lastras shared with Cyclingnews following the Colombian's demise at the brutal Alto del Vino. "He felt a bit blocked from being at his full shape but it’s nothing alarming, nothing worrying. Nairo puts a lot of pressure of himself racing here, but I think the great champions need to put pressure on themselves. They have to know how to manage it and Nairo knows how to do that, because he’s a winner.”
Quintana looked in fine form at the national championships the week beforehand, putting in fine performances both in the time-trial and road race. In the first stages of the week he looked to be in regular pace, but the 30-kilometer long Alto del Vino exposed his ongoing weakness. Quintana had been ill and was dropped early on, not contesting for the stage win or overall classification.
“The original plan was for Nairo to start at the Volta Valenciana, but then this race was confirmed late – at the end of November, I think – so we quickly changed his calendar. We had to have him here – for Nairo himself, for the country, for the brand, for the federation," Lastras added. "He’s sort of the ambassador of the country. So he had to be here, and he wanted to be here.”
In the results sheet however lays a relatively absent 19th spot, which will matter little. A return to competition however is important after a year without being in a World Tour peloton. Experience that will be valuable for the 34-year old, who is looking to build up towards the Giro d'Italia this spring. Quintana is expected to return to Europe soon, and race O Gran Camiño where he will be face to face with the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Cian Uijtdebroeks.
“It’s clear that a year without competition has cost him quite a bit, because cycling is all about changes of rhythm,” Luis Fernando Saldarriaga, previously a coach of the Colombian rider, added. “He has to get used to these changes of rhythm again, and that will take time.”
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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🇨🇴🙌🏼 Viva Colombia, viva el @TourColombiaOfi Han sido dos semanas maravillosas. Gracias por todo vuestro cariño. Iván Sosa terminó entre los 10 primeros de la general, @fndogaviria se llevó una etapa… y el jefe @nairoquinco volvió, como hoy en Bogotá, a encontrarse con su
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