Nairo Quintana is about to make his comeback to racing subsequent season on the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in Spain.
Quintana has rejoined his former staff Movistar for 2024, and his return comes after a hiatus of over 12 months following his constructive take a look at for tramadol and subsequent disqualification from the 2022 Tour de France.
In-competition use of tramadol was barred by the UCI in 2019, however it would solely be added to the WADA banned listing from January 1, 2024. Though Quintana was allowed to proceed racing after his constructive assessments, the 33-year-old was unable to discover a staff for 2023.
Nonetheless, in October he introduced that he can be racing with Movistar in 2024, his staff from 2012-2019 and with whom he gained the 2014 Giro d’Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, Quintana revealed that his first race of 2024 would be the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which runs from January 31-February 4.
The 33-year-old couldn’t rule out or verify his subsequent presence within the newly revived Tour Colombia, which runs from February 6-11 subsequent yr.
The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is a race which has good reminiscences for Quintana. He gained the five-day occasion again in 2017, largely due to a solo victory in that yr’s hardest summit end.Â
Historically considered as one of many hardest early season stage races, as but no particulars have emerged of Valenciana’s 2024 route. Final yr it was gained by Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) with a gutsy late assault on the final day by the streets of Valencia.
There are rumours that Quintana could race the Giro d’Italia subsequent yr, however as but nothing has been confirmed by the staff or the rider.