At 36 years old, Nairo Quintana will hang up his bicycle at the end of the season, after more than 14 seasons in the European elite and countless victories. A Giro d’Italia win in 2014, a Vuelta a España victory in 2016, and three podium finishes in the Tour de France, in addition to several stage wins, are part of his impressive palmarès. The Colombian cyclist from Boyacá confirmed his retirement at a press conference in Girona, Spain.
Although he had been considering leaving professional cycling for several months, the Colombian rider announced that this will be his last season. “It’s a mix of emotions; it’s a cycle that comes to an end, and it’s the way of life. Being able to announce my last season is exciting. It’s a decision we made two years ago, and it was time to communicate it,” Quintana told Mundo Ciclístico magazine.
He raced in Europe for 14 years, experiencing his best sporting period with Movistar. Quintana began his cycling career in 2009 with the Boyacá es para Vivirla team, with whom he raced in Europe, winning the Vuelta a Madrid.
After his strong performances with Colombia es Pasión, he made the leap to the World Tour. He joined Movistar Team, where he achieved his best results. He won his first stage and his first overall classification in the Vuelta a Murcia. He also won a stage in the Critérium du Dauphiné, was champion of La Route du Sud Cycliste, and conquered the Giro dell’Emilia before going on to write a remarkable story in the three Grand Tours.
The young Colombian will race in Europe this year, where he hopes to learn all the secrets of cycling that his brother Nairo can pass on to him.
“Every race I do this year will be a big celebration, and I’m doing it this way because I want to enjoy these wonderful moments with the fans and all the people who have been by my side,” concluded Quintana, who will begin his participation in the Volta a Catalunya tomorrow.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Quintana leaves a legacy that transcends cycling: an international benchmark, an icon for Colombia, and an inspirational figure for generations of cyclists and fans around the world.
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico