The Colombian Nairo Quintana will ride for the first time in a team since the 2022 Tour de France and it will be in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2024 with Movistar Team, which will mean the return to competition in Spain, on roads where he has had success in the past.
Quintana has ridden for Movistar from 2012 to 2019 and among his many victories is the general classification in the 2017 edition. Quintana will probably be one of the protagonists of the race, as he begins his preparation for a probable stint in the Giro from Italy.
“You have to be patient, because I haven’t raced in a while. When others were doing the Giro d’Italia, I was in Colombia. Some told me I was crazy and that I should quit cycling,” Quintana explained to Cyclingnews.
“Despite everything, I’m in good shape. My numbers in training are the same as when I competed in big events. So I’m not worried about that, but it’s always different competing. I’ll have to keep training and have good legs,” he pointed.
There has been much speculation about ‘Nairomán’s’ return to high-level racing, and several experts claim that he should have a leading role in the Iberian team, since he still has the strength in his legs to fight for titles.
In addition, they talked about the possible challenges that the rider born in Cómbita would have. At first, it was speculated that the first race with the Movistar jersey was going to be the Tour Colombia.
However, this Tuesday Nairo Quintana himself came out to clarify the rumors and confirmed that the first race of 2024 will be the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which will take place from January 31 to February 4.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, the 33-year-old runner explained that his first challenge will be in the country where his team is based. Of course, he did not rule out or confirm his participation in the Colombia Tour.
Confirmation of the presence of the ‘Condor’ in the Colombian race will have to wait and will be evaluated by the cyclist and his team. It should be noted that Tour Colombia 2.1 will be from February 6 to 11, 2024.
Source: elciclismoaldia.es y www.eltiempo.com