Thomas Dekker questions Nairo Quintana's signing: "Quintana has paid enough for it, but why doesn't Movistar have to answer for this?"

Nairo Quintana was signed once again by Movistar Team who look to build a stronger team in the mountains. It was a win win situation as the Colombian rider found his way back into professional cycling after a year that looked to be his last as a pro rider. However that doesn't come without it's questioning.

"It is actually special that this is possible. Cycling is the only sport where you can be positive on Tramadol. It's very strange that he grabbed that. Then it is simple in your mind to take that product anyway, while you know that they are checking for it," Thomas Dekker said in the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast. "It is allowed, but if Quintana does not provide an explanation, you as Movistar should not do it. 

The Colombian had his results from the 2022 Tour de France, where he was disqualified afterwards, removed. Arkéa Samsic let it's leader go following the case and the combination of the timing and the malpractice he underwent led Quintana to spend 2023 without a team. "Why did he take Tramadol? It is a substance that is not found anywhere else, so he consciously ingested it orally," Dekker believes.

"I have a little trouble with that. You have to protect people in a vulnerable situation, because it can also end in a different way. But no clarity is given. Today's cycling is a lot cleaner, but there is a caveat to this. If you do this, the question is also: how much of a shit do you have about other things? What kind of barrier does Unzué have? Why would he do it?"

Dekker himself admitted to doing blood transfusions and taking EPO throughout his prime years as a pro. He He was suspended in 2009 and upon returning was signed by the Chipotle - First Solar Development team, months after he was reinserted back into the World Tour via the Team Garmin - Barracuda. Hence, a very similar comeback in relation to that of Quintana. However the Dutchman believes the times have changed and teams nowadays should have to provide good explanations for these situations.

"It is allowed, but if Quintana does not provide an explanation, you as Movistar should not do it," he argues. "It is 2023 and there is still a certain luxury that, as one of the largest telecom providers in Spain, gives you that opportunity, without any explanation. It's opportunistic. Quintana has paid enough for it, but why doesn't Movistar have to answer for this? Simply because it is still the old cycling style."