Update: Nairo Quintana signs with World Tour team, Bahrain - Victorious likely the next destination
Cycling
Nairo Quintana has for several months been in a complicated situation after testing positive for Tramadol at the Tour de France. His professional career seemed at risk, and his presence at the top level looked extremely unlikely. However, the Colombian is set to race at the World Tour in 2023, he himself announced.
“I can't say much more. I will be in the WorldTour, I will continue to pedal hard and look ahead," Quintana told EFE agency. "The idea is to keep the motivation to win races and represent my country… Next year I will be racing the big races.”
The Colombian did not reveal which team he has signed with. Asked if it was his former team Movistar, he responded: "It could be one of the options. The truth is that I have a very good relationship with them, we have had very successful years, so why not. But the most important thing is to have options to keep racing."
Whilst the Spanish team could be an option and a logical one seeing the departure of Alejandro Valverde and budget that surely has still remained as the team's signings were of an inferior level. Whilst he's been linked with teams such as UAE Team Emirates and Astana Qazaqstan Team in the past, it was understood that both were not interested in a deal. EF Education-EasyPost are clear contenders having a large focus in South American riders and the recent signing of Richard Carapaz, whilst Bahrain - Victorious would also be one of the possibilities taking into consideration their focus on the mountainous races and Spanish-speaking riders.
Update: According to Charles Marsault of Velo-Club.net, Quintana is said to have signed with Bahrain - Victorious.
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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