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From Paris-Roubaix and unbound gravel to the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and everything in between when you>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link” }}”>join from outside+.
Nairo Quintana, still unable to find a top pro team to join him this season, vowed on Wednesday that he is not retiring from elite road racing.
The 32-year-old Colombian used a press conference on Wednesday to dispel rumors that he was retiring.
“I’m not quitting. I’m going forward,” Quintana said defiantly. “I am in very good form. I will keep fighting for the race. I am an honest rider who follows the rules.”
Quintana said he is still holding out for a top-tier team and said he has so far rejected offers from third-tier Colombian teams.
“I am grateful for the offers from various Colombian teams, but my aim is still to fly my country’s flag in the most important race in the world,” said Quintana.
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“Even though I don’t have a team yet, I’m available,” Quintana said on Wednesday. “I want to compete again, want to put on number one.
“A true cyclist doesn’t give up in the face of adversity,” he said. “I have overcome many difficulties, I have always answered all questions and wrong statements.”
Vuelta a España and Giro d’Italia winner Quintana sees the door closed during the 2022 Tour de France following his high-profile Tramadol affair.
On Wednesday he said he is still talking to teams with the hope of racing in Europe in 2023.
Quintana’s problems began after the Tour de France last summer when the UCI confirmed that tramadol was found in two samples taken during the race.
The powerful painkiller will not be on the WADA list of prohibited substances until 2024, but is currently banned during competition by the UCI.
After testing positive twice for traces of Tramadol, Quintana has his results erased from the 2022 Tour. He was not otherwise sanctioned and is free to compete.
Quintana denied taking tramadol and subsequently lost an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
His Arkéa–Samsic team canceled a three-year contract extension in the wake of the UCI’s allegations.
Teams have been hesitant to sign him, despite Quintana indicating on a few occasions that he’s got a team for this season and will be racing in Europe.
On Wednesday, Quintana vowed to continue trying to find a team for 2023.
