Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

That was my first thought, the Giro might become a lot more interesting.

“Obviously, he will work for our leader, Mas, in the grand tours, but he will have the opportunity to show that he is still a winner in other races”

 

[staubsauger]

Guess that means Giro d'Italia for the mountains jersey together with Rubio and then Quintana ends up as super domestique for Mas at the Tour de France afterwards. Or the Vuelta a Espana respectively, depending on where Mas has higher ambitions.

After Nibali was 4th and Pinot has been 5th at the Giro d'Italia recently, Quintana certainly still can show something in Italy.

Keep in mind that after Spain, Telefonicas main business market under the Movistar brand is Latin America. Arguably after the Tour de France, in South America the Giro d'Italia still is a hugely important race due to the successes of Quintana, Rujano, Gaviria, Perez Cuapio, etc.

To send Quintana & Rubio to the Giro d'Italia to represent your brand in Colombia makes sense!

 

[yaco]

The unconfirmed rumour is that Quintana has a silent ban from ASO races - Even if this is the case, Quintana can do a nice calendar.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

That was my first thought, the Giro might become a lot more interesting.

I guess theyll have him ride Giro-Vuelta to keep the French Mafia happy and because Mas is aready doing Tour-Vuelta.
Probably the best short term solution after missing out on Christian Rodriguez at the last moment.

I doubt they were too bothered about missing out on Cristián Rodríguez. Carlos on the other hand...

With guys like G. Izagirre, Rojas, Erviti and Valverde all gone, they obviously needed a new father figure on the team to teach the young guns how to race Abarca style.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[fmk_RoI]

The return of your favourite soap villain.

 

[Elos Anjos]

I'm personally very happy that Nairo has at least one more shot in the WT after his silent demise. I bet he is very, very hungry to prove his worth.

Go Nairo!

 

[fmk_RoI]

“Obviously, he will work for our leader, Mas, in the grand tours, but he will have the opportunity to show that he is still a winner in other races”

Work like a dog in the real races, get let off the leash in the Ventoux Challenge.

 

[ice&fire]

“Obviously, he will work for our leader, Mas, in the grand tours, but he will have the opportunity to show that he is still a winner in other races”

If he can stay on the bike he can become plan B

 

[Elos Anjos]

What are Nairo's chances of coming back to his 2022 level after a year out of the peloton?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Wow, Nairoman is back! The mutants can forget about the Tour win - rejuvenated Nairoman with additional w/kg will be unstoppable in July!

 

[Tim Cahill]

If they think Quintana is going to work for Mas I have them a Galibier-sized bridge to sell them. About as much chance of that as there is of Nairo doing some work in a chasing group.

 

[RedheadDane]

Wow, Nairoman is back! The mutants can forget about the Tour win - rejuvenated Nairoman with additional w/kg will be unstoppable in July!

The question was about coming back to his 2022 level, not coming back to his 2013 level.
Also, I'm not sure his 2013 level would help much either.

 

[Escarabajo]

I just woke up to the fricking news. Welcome back Nairo. Whatever motivated Movistar to do this it makes more sense to go there than any other team. From the business stand point and from the sporting stand point makes a lot of sense.

I am not putting my hopes too high after one year of hiatus. But welcome nevertheless!!!

 

[Mayomaniac]

What are Nairo's chances of coming back to his 2022 level after a year out of the peloton?

He was still training like a pro in Colombia and Andorra. Maybe less racing Stress was actually good for his knees, those knee surgeries in 2020 did a number on his Recovery (mainly when It comes to multiple mountain stages in a row)

 

[Salvarani]

What are Nairo's chances of coming back to his 2022 level after a year out of the peloton?

Nairo has often not needed much time at the start of each season to get up to speed. On many occasions it is where he has looked his best. Especially in his later years.

Of course a longer break this time without racing... but if he has still been training like a pro and taken care of himself, it will just be like riding a bike.

 

[perico]

Huge signing. Even if he was not as competitive in the GTs, he was killing it in the 1 week races and it should help take the pressure off Mas.

 

[Elos Anjos]

It's huge how this little fella has 51 pro wins.

 

[hfer07]

I'm happy for Nairo on his WT contract. So how is his "ban" going to play out on his racing calendar? How that got sorted out?

 

[Pantani_lives]

Terrific news! I didn't want him to end his career this way. Back at Movistar he can still do well. A high place in the Giro and winning a hilly one-week race should still be possible. He's only 33 and he'll be motivated to prove what he's still worth. I'm looking forward to seeing him back!

 

[Kaptain Kool]

I'm happy for Nairo on his WT contract. So how is his "ban" going to play out on his racing calendar? How that got sorted out?

Just a guess but I'd think RCS will be happy for Quintana to be at their races. Basque Country and non-WT stage races in Spain should be fine. The major question will be weather Vuelta will be Unipublic or ASO decision.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Just a guess but I'd think RCS will be happy for Quintana to be at their races. Basque Country and non-WT stage races in Spain should be fine. The major question will be weather Vuelta will be Unipublic or ASO decision.

I guess (and hope) that ASO only wants to keep him away from their precious French races.

 

[IndianCyclist]

The question was about coming back to his 2022 level, not coming back to his 2013 level.
Also, I'm not sure his 2013 level would help much either.

Only if Fantastic 4 crash in stage 9 which is really probable

 

[Lequack]

From the man himself. Anyone care to translate?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1718150081658970486

View: https://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/1718150081658970486

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

And how exactly can ASO keep Movistar from bringing whoever they want to the ASO races? He isn't banned, he has no criminal charges against him in France, so...?

Never been a Nairo fan, thief of Giro wins, that one was for the greatest cyclist of his generation, Uran, but still nice to see him back.