Nairo Quintana to miss Vuelta a Andalucia after nationals crash
A tumble at the Colombian national championships last week means that Nairo Quintana will have to wait to make his season's debut in Europe
Nairo Quintana will not line-up with his Movistar teammates at next week’s Vuelta a Andalucía in order to give him more time to recover from injuries suffered in the Colombian national championships.
The Giro d’Italia winner was a faller in the final kilometre of his home championships, reportedly landing on his back and scraping his elbow, although initial diagnoses did not show any serious damage.
>>> LeMond: Quintana will be Froome’s biggest Tour de France rival
Movistar will, instead, hand the reigns over to rising stars Juan José Lobato, who won stage two of the Tour Down Under in January, and Javi Moreno.
Quintana’s absence dampens the Ruta del Sol’s star power somewhat, although Tour de France champions Chris Froome and Alberto Contador are scheduled to race there.
Fellow GC contenders Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing), Jean Christophe Péraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Jurgen van den Broeck (Lotto-Soudal) will also be present for the race, which rolls out on February 18.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Ribble Allroad Ti Pro review: the titanium endurance bike that shows its true mettle on poorer road surfaces
Classic titanium looks and 3D-printed construction make the Allroad Ti Pro a natural for long rides when the going gets rough
By Tim Russon Published
-
Bikes have got more expensive - but - we no longer start every ride wondering how long the they'll remain functional
Modern machines take all the jeopardy out of leaving the house
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Nairo Quintana says he's not retiring. What next?
The Colombian, let go by Arkéa-Samsic last year, is still without a team, but wants to race on
By Adam Becket Published
-
Six things we want to see in Movistar's ‘The Least Expected Day’ season four on Netflix
The fourth season of the series following the exploits of the Spanish team expected in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten heads to Kenya with the Masai tribe
Dutch World Champion takes her gravel bike to Kenya for an off season adventure with the Masai tribe
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Nairo Quintana says 'keep calm', he’s got a team for next season
The Colombian has been rumoured with a number of WorldTour teams
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Movistar team up with Saudi Cycling Federation
Both sides will work together to promote cycling in Saudi Arabia
By Tom Davidson Published
-
AG2R Citroën deny interest in signing Nairo Quintana
Options are running out for the Colombian, as is time
By Adam Becket Published
-
What I learned from watching season three of Netflix's Movistar documentary ‘The Least Expected Day'
Enric Mas battles to reach the top and 'Superman' brings the drama in the latest instalment of the Spanish Eastenders
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Nairo Quintana withdraws from Vuelta a España: 'I will assert my reasons before the Court of Arbitration for Sport'
The UCI announced the Colombian had tested positive for tramadol twice at the Tour de France, and has been retroactively disqualified
By Ryan Dabbs Published