“Today, cyclists take too many unnecessary risks. It’s much more dangerous” – Nairo Quintana warns modern peloton has changed

The observation was calm, but the message was unmistakable. Speaking in Oman, Nairo Quintana did not frame his concerns as nostalgia or complaint. Instead, he described a peloton that no longer behaves as it once did, one shaped by constant pressure and heightened tension.

“Today, cyclists take too many unnecessary risks; there is a lot of tension at moments that are not important,” Quintana said in conversation with Marca. “It makes cycling more interesting, but in terms of safety, we notice it is much more dangerous.”

For a rider who has spent more than a decade at the top of the sport, the warning carries weight.

Quintana is not reacting to a single incident, but to a shift he believes has become embedded in everyday racing.

According to Quintana, the modern structure of professional cycling has altered how riders behave throughout a race day, not just at decisive moments. He points in particular to the influence of the points system, which has intensified competition far beyond traditional flashpoints.

“We see crashes every day and, although measures have been taken, they are not enough to avoid all that tension caused by trying to collect points that are so valuable for every team and every rider,” he said.

The result, in his view, is a peloton that is permanently on edge, where riders take risks even when the sporting stakes do not demand it.

Despite his concerns, Quintana is not racing with a sense of detachment. At 36, he has begun the season early, deliberately choosing conditions that allow him to build form and remain competitive rather than simply fulfil a supporting role.

“I wanted to start early to take advantage of the heat and begin riding properly,” he explained. “I am still at a good level, and I have to take advantage of it.”

That approach has seen him active at the Tour of Oman, a race whose terrain suits his strengths and offers a useful measure of where he stands in the current peloton.

Within Movistar, Quintana’s role is fluid, shaped by the demands of each stage rather than fixed expectations. He speaks openly about helping sprinters and younger teammates when required, while remaining ready to step forward when opportunities arise. “When it is our opportunity, we have to be there with the best,” he said.

That flexibility extends beyond tactics. Quintana has become a reference point for younger riders, not only within his own team but across the peloton, many of whom continue to seek him out despite the changing competitive landscape.

“The joy of sharing with young riders is that you continue to feel young,” he said. “They motivate me a lot and allow me to guide them in the moments when they need it.”

While Quintana acknowledges that the sport around him has evolved, his own approach remains rooted in instinct and competition rather than caution.

“I am a lion,” he said. “Every day I pin on a number, I think about being at the front, about my team winning, about fighting, defending myself, and why not, attacking.”

That instinct has not disappeared, even as he recognises that the broader environment has become more volatile.

The discussion inevitably touches on time and longevity, though Quintana avoids framing the season as a farewell.

“We will see how the year goes,” he said. “I feel good, I am in very good condition, I ride well and happily. For now, I am very focused on doing the whole season, and we will see later on.”

For now, his focus remains on racing within a peloton he believes has fundamentally changed, navigating its risks with the benefit of experience while continuing to compete on his own terms.