The Colombian cyclist will have allowed the Breton formation to access the World Tour before being tested positive for tramadol during the last Tour de France.
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Nairo Quintana and Arkea-Samsic, it’s over. The Colombian made the announcement himself on his social networks this Saturday, October 1. The climber, who saw his 6th place in the last Tour de France be withdrawn following a positive tramadol test, had nevertheless resigned with the Breton formation for three additional seasons during the summer. But this control – the veracity of which he still disputes, although it was first confirmed – seems to have changed the situation.
The former Movistar rider, winner of the 2014 Tour of Italy and the 2016 Tour of Spain, was recruited by Arkea-Samsic in 2020 to help the French team join the World Tour. Which should be done from next season… but without Quintana then. “I would like to thank Arkéa-Samsic for these three seasons where we were able to do many races, said the 32-year-old runner. We have won some, we have lost others. I was able to give all my experience, all my experience to a great team. I was able to get the points to take the team to the World Tour, fulfilling what was promised when they hired me.“
On August 16, the Colombian saw his lease extended for three seasons, shortly after the Grande Boucle which he had just finished in the Top 10 for the sixth time in his career. Three days later, the International Cycling Union announced that Quintana had tested positive for tramadol, a substance not yet considered doping by the World Anti-Doping Agency (it will be from 2024), but contrary to the medical regulations of the ‘UCI.
The runner then seized the Court of Arbitration for Sport to contest his sanction, denying having used tramadol. “I presented an appeal before the CAS and I continue to work with my lawyershe recalled in his video press release. I’m optimistic because I’m an honest person, I haven’t done anything wrong, illegal and I’m going to defend myself.“
Nairo Quintana will have won eleven victories with Arkea-Samsic, and finds himself free. “I will keep you informed of my future in the coming weeks and thus prove the honest runner that I am.” he insisted.