Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana, disqualified from the Tour de France 2022: what was the reason and how it will affect him in the future

A bittersweet Wednesday lived Nairo Quintana. A few hours later his team, the Arkéa-Samsic, announced the renewal of his contract, the Colombian cyclist, historian of the international national team, received harsh news. Was disqualified of the Tour de France 2022 after testing positive tramadol in the analysis of two samples he provided during his participation in the French test, in which he finished sixth.

The substance consumed by Quintana, the first runner in his country to win the Tour of Italy (in 2014) and to be crowned in two Grand Tours (with his triumph in Return to Spain 2016), is an opioid analgesic that relieves pain. Its use during the competition was prohibited by art International Cycling Union (UCI) in 2019 with the aim of “protecting the safety and health of runners from its side effects”; but it does not constitute a violation of WADA’s anti-doping regulations. And since this is a first infringement, the Colombian does not risk disqualification and will be able to continue competing normally.

“Analysis of two dry blood samples provided by the rider on 8 and 13 July during the 2022 Tour de France revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites,” the UCI said in a statement.

“I was surprised to learn of the announcement by the UCI of an infringement for the use of tramadol. I am completely unaware of the use of this substance and I deny having used it in my career,” replied the 32-year-old Colombian. in a short letter published on social media.

“With my team of lawyers, we are running out of all processes to take on my defense,” he added, who has 10 days to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).

Quintana is the first cyclist in the group to be sanctioned for the use of this pain reliever, which is widely used in cycling to relieve leg pain caused by long hours cycling and also the discomfort caused by falls and accidents that usually occur in large turns.

Ironically, the use of tramadol has been indicated by many experts as a cause of several falls, as it can cause drowsiness, relaxation and lack of concentration, which led the UCI to include it on the list of illegal substances during the competition. .

The first of Quintana’s samples that tested positive was taken on 8 July, in the seventh stage (176.5 kilometers between Tomblaine and La Planche des Belles Filles), where the South American finished 11th. The second, five days later, in the 11th (152 kilometers from Albertville to the Col du Granon), in which he was second second, behind the Dane jonas vingegaardthat with that victory reached the top of the general classification for the first time and later ended up winning the title.

The Colombian was sixth overall, his best Tour result since third place in 2016. His most notable performances in that event were second place in 2013 and 2015.

Despite the setback that mean the positive and disqualification, Quintana has already warned that he will not stray from the competition.

“I want to ratify that I will be in Return to Spainriding my bike giving the best of me for my team, my country and my followers “, he assured this Wednesday, confirming his participation in the tests of the Iberian country, which will start this Friday.

Quintana was between 2012 and 2019 one of the great stars of Movistar, one of the heavyweights on the world circuit. You arrived in 2020 at Arkéa-Samsic – a second-class team (UCI Pro Team) that manages some World Tour events as a guest – and became the natural leader of the French team, which has experienced clear growth since its establishment.