‘Nairo Quintana did not respect the rules’: Association of Professional Cyclists

The topic Nairo Quintana has not been closed. He will compete this Sunday in the road test of the National Cycling Championships and is waiting for his trip to Europe to resolve his situation, as he said at the press conference in which he announced that he was not retiring. .

(You may be interested: Nairo Quintana is honest before the route: “My condition is not the best”)

The Boyacá cyclist hopes to find a group that gives him the opportunity to remain active, to compete, an option to continue in search of more victories, to feel like a winner.

Between a rock and a hard place

Quintana continues between a rock and a hard place, since February has already begun and his sporting future is still uncertain, after the disqualification from the last Tour de France for the prohibited use of tramadol in competition, violating the International Cycling Union (UCI) norm. .

His appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), the entity that confirmed the sanction of the UCI, did not help him much either, but he insists on continuing in the race.
After Roger Legeay, president of the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC), told EL TIEMPO that Nairo Quintana “did not respect international standards and for this reason he was condemned by the UCI and confirmed by the TAS”, a ‘ suspicion’ that the Colombian was banned in Europe.

Gianni Bugno He is a former cyclist, he won the 1990 Giro d’Italia and was world road champion in 1991 and 1992. He is the president of the International Cyclists Association (CPA). Quintana was one of the active professional cyclists in the country who supported the creation of the Association of Colombian Cyclists (Acicol), which is governed by the rules of the International Association.

He even spoke at a virtual meeting between Acicol and the CPA that took place in mid-2022.

EL TIEMPO spoke with Bugno, who was clear in referring to what has happened in recent months with the champion of the 2014 Giro d’Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España.

The treatment that has been given to Nairo is not fair.

What is your opinion of Nairo Quintana’s theme?
Nairo’s doors were closed in the World Tour teams, the highest category of cycling, and in the second line groups, the Proteam. It is clear that it is a topic that is talked about a lot now.

Has Nairo talked to you?
He is one of the affiliated runners, he is an active part and in Colombia he is one of the cyclists who have been interested in the association, but we have not spoken with him.

Would they be in a position to listen to him, to help him?
If he wants it, we can sit down and talk. We have no problem doing it, as long as he requires it.

Is the treatment given to the Boyacá cyclist fair in the case of tramadol?
That substance will be on the list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (AMA) from next year, not for now. That is why I consider that the treatment that has been given to Nairo is not fair, but there are also some rules.

What is not as a doping substance can play in favor of Quintana?
The problem cannot be discussed, you have to respect those rules and he did not do it.

You don’t have a team and you’ve been harmed by that circumstance. Do you see it as a veto?
It has been haunted by the problem of tramadol, that is why it has had several problems.

The president of the MPCC was categorical in saying that he did not respect the rules. Do you agree?
It is a big problem that Nairo has. I think that Quintana can integrate the roster of a team that is not part of the MPCC, they have prevented him from running in a group that he is affiliated with.

Could you somehow solve this problem if you talk to the UCI or the MPCC?
Yes, he can talk to them, with the MPCC it seems much clearer and more accurate. With the UCI it is difficult to talk, they have made the decision and that’s it.

What do you think about not being withdrawn?
It’s good. He is an important runner and with Egan Bernal they are strong cyclists and they do good for Colombian cycling.

LISANDRO RENGIFO
Editor of EL TIEMPO
@LisandroAbel

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