After learning from the UCI of his disqualification from the last Tour de France due to two positive tramadol tests, Nairo Quintana made the decision not to take the start of the Vuelta, which begins this Friday, when he is not doing the subject to any suspension.
On Wednesday evening, the Colombian from Arkéa-Samsic had denied having used this substance during the Tour and during his career, while indicating that he was going to appeal the decision of the UCI to the Arbitral Tribunal of the sport (TAS) but that he intended to participate in the 77th edition of the Vuelta.
Winner of the Vuelta in 2016
However, this Thursday, Quintana did an about-face. Through a video posted on his Instagram account, the Colombian rider has formalized his withdrawal, in agreement with his team, in order to fully devote himself to the defense of his case in the coming days.
“ I prefer to go home, organize and prepare my defense about the news that reached me yesterday “said the 32-year-old runner in his Instagram story. The Colombian had won the Vuelta in 2016 and had ambitions in the general classification for the 2022 edition. His team is now looking to replace him.
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