quintana tour de france 2022 age

What Is Tramadol? Nairo Quintana Disqualified from Tour de France after Positive Test

The Colombian rider has been stripped of his sixth-place finish in the general classification from last month’s Tour de France.

The veteran rider for Team Arkea-Samsic has been stripped of his sixth-place finish in the general classification from last month’s Tour. He can appeal this decision within the next 10 days.

“The analyses of two dried 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 statement from the UCI reads.

Quintana won the 2014 Giro d’Italia and 2016 Vuelta a España. The 32-year-old Colombian was twice a runner-up at the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015.

What is tramadol?

Tramadol is a pain reliever. It is a synthetic opioid that has been banned by the UCI , pro cycling’s world governing body, since 2019. It is, however, not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Therefore, in Quintana's case, the UCI’s medical rules were violated, but not their anti-doping rules. Because of this, Quintana is still eligible to compete at the Vuelta a España —which starts on Friday, August 19.

According to WADA , tramadol can be used by athletes to “reduce exertional pain and allow the athlete to work even harder,” but it maintains that “there is currently no convincing research evidence to support or reject whether tramadol is performance-enhancing in highly trained, healthy athletes.”

The UCI has lobbied WADA to ban tramadol for years, but it has not yet been put on its prohibited list.

UCI implemented its ban in 2019 “in order to protect the riders’ health and safety in light of the side-effects of this substance.” Tramadol has been criticized for giving riders an advantage in the peloton, but also putting them at risk for addiction and increase in the potential for falls in competition.

A 2018 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport study found that tramadol can lead to impaired focus and attention.

Dan is a writer and editor living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and before coming to Runner’s World and Bicycling was an editor at MileSplit. He competed in cross country and track and field collegiately at DeSales University.

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Nairo Quintana disqualified from 2022 Tour de France after tramadol positive

• Colombian had finished sixth overall in the race last month
• Positive test infringes UCI rules but is not a doping violation

The Colombian rider Nairo Quintana has been disqualified from the 2022 Tour de France after infringing an in‑competition ban on using the drug tramadol, the world cycling governing body (UCI) said on Wednesday.

Quintana finished sixth in the general classification for Team Arkea‑Samsic in the Tour last month, but analysis of two dried blood samples revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites.

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“In accordance with the UCI medical rules, the rider is disqualified from the 2022 Tour de France. This decision may be appealed before the court of arbitration for sport (Cas) within the next 10 days,” the UCI said in a statement. “As this is a first offence, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas is not declared ineligible and can therefore participate in competitions.”

Since 2019, using tramadol has been an offence under the UCI medical rules because of the side-effects of the substance that include dizziness, drowsiness and loss of attention. Testing positive for tramadol does not constitute a doping violation.

Tramadol has been used frequently in the past by professional cyclists – figures from UK Anti-Doping state that, between 2012 and 2019, 4.4% of in-competition tests showed the use of the painkiller, while 68% of urine samples that contained tramadol, from across 35 Olympic sports, were from cyclists.

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Nairo Quintana set to skip Giro d'Italia and focus on Tour de France and Vuelta double in 2022

The Colombian's manager speaks on his currently unconfirmed schedule for the new season

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Nairo Quintana is apparently set to target the Tour de France and Vuelta a España in 2022, skipping the Giro d'Italia despite earlier hints at a Giro-Tour double.

The Colombian's manager, Giuseppe Acquadro, has been speaking on his rider's upcoming season in conversation with the Spanish journalist Javier Ares, who gave the latest update on his rider's plans for his 11th season in the WorldTour.

Quintana was always set to target the Tour de France, he has said, having completed the Grand Tour eight times and finished on the podium three times, and the 31-year-old is still a big name for his French Arkéa-Samsic team to have on the start list at their home race.

Despite hints that the multiple Grand Tour winner could be returning to the Giro d'Italia for the first time since 2017, having only raced the Italian Grand Tour twice - his debut appearance in 2014 seeing him take the maglia rosa - his plans have now changed, according to Acquadro. Arkéa-Samsic are also yet to formally announce their rider's Grand Tour intentions for the coming year.

>>> Ineos' Ben Tulett: There was a lot to be learned about Remco at the Giro, I don’t want to miss or skip steps

Despite the 2022 Giro course not containing an overwhelming number of time trial kilometres, the opening TT of 9.2km is followed by a closing, climbing TT in Verona of 17.1km, Quintana is instead expected to stick to his regular Tour/Vuelta double, which he has undertaken four times during his career.

Quintana's resurgent 2020 saw him win two French stage races before taking the final stage of Paris-Nice, was cut short by the outset of the coronavirus pandemic. The Colombian's Tour de France that year was beset by crashes, while his 2021 campaign was then fairly anonymous, despite a strong finish in the autumn Italian one-day classics.

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"We are good, improving every day. For the first time in a while I finished off a season in good physical shape, and now I’m motivated to work for the coming year," Quintana said at the Tour de France route presentation in Paris towards the end of last year.

"I am a GC rider," he continued. "Every year I come to the Tour with these ambitions, except 2021, when physical problems wiped them out. The route is good for us. It’s important to arrive in top condition to be able to take it on."

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Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.

Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).

I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.

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Nairo Quintana’s 2022 Tour de France results scrubbed after tramadol positives

Colombian not suspended, still slated for vuelta.

Nairo Quintana’s sixth place at the 2022 Tour de France–his best GC place in his last three editions–and all of his 109th Tour results will be scrubbed due to positive tests for the banned substance tramadol during the French Grand Tour, the UCI announced Wednesday. Arkea-Samsic’s Colombian is not suspended and is still slated to start the Vuelta a España on Friday in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The team loses around 400 UCI points from Quintana’s exploits in July.

According to a UCI statement , “the analyses of two dried 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.”

Taylor Phinney opens up about rampant doping in pro peloton

However, the presence of tramadol during competition is an offense of the UCI’s Medical Rules and not considered to be an anti-doping infringement. As Quintana’s first offense, it doesn’t merit suspension.

Thirty-two-year-old Quintana won the 2014 Giro d’Italia and the 2016 Vuelta. He just re-signed with Arkea-Samsic for three more years on Tuesday.

L'histoire se poursuit. ? https://t.co/e2M8dPzqMx pic.twitter.com/JEn9vWzBxg — Team Arkéa Samsic (@Arkea_Samsic) August 16, 2022

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Nairo Quintana on 2022 Tour de France: "My wishes are fighting for the overall and be close to the podium"

Starting his third season with Arkéa - Samsic, Colombian star Nairo Quintana remains as motivated as the years before as he eyes another year full of possibilities.

"In this team we are finally playing regarding the interests that are according to the situation. My wishes are fighting for the overall and be close to the podium, but as the season goes we'll understand in what situation we'll be had and which option benefits the team the most," he stated, showing his ambitions remain high despite the flourishing of a new generation which is taking the peloton to new levels.

Tour de la Provence: Ganna dominates opening prologue

He hasn't had the best off pre-seasons though as only some weeks ago he was infected with Covid: "With Covid we had to stop and the preparation has been delayed, however we move forward and have recovered well and as the main objetives are up the road, it's better to happen now then later."

"I'm not a rider that has to do the best or the worst to have or not a contract. For now I'm not worried, I want to do things well and obtain some wins this season, then a renovation will depend on the results," he had to say regarding his contractual situation, as he currently does not have a contract signed for 2023 and the door may be open for a new experience.

Lotto Soudal DS Nikolas Maes: "We changed our way of working at Lotto Soudal"

Regarding the Tour de la Provence , where he has started today he had this to say: "It's a race that will be very fast, the teams have been aware of a preparation in team more and have had training camps, so many of them will give a fight."

Paris-Nice and the Vuelta a Catalunya are on his sights for the month of March where he is looking to hit peak form, beforehand though, besides this week's Tour de la Provence, he is likely to be present at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var and the Faun-Ardèche Classic.

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CAS dismiss Nairo Quintana appeal, disqualification of results from 2022 Tour de France stands over tramadol use

Updated 03/11/2022 at 13:57 GMT

Nairo Quintana's appeal against the disqualification of his results from the 2022 Tour de France has been dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The UCI said at the time that it was not a breach of anti-doping rules and he would be free to continue competing. Quintana appealed to CAS, who have upheld the decision that "Quintana was found to have infringed the UCI Medical Rules".

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24/10/2022 at 16:17

'It could be my last year' - Thomas hints at retirement, may skip Tour de France

12/10/2022 at 11:43

Quintana wiped from 2022 Tour results over tramadol use

17/08/2022 at 14:07

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Nairo Quintana hoping to ‘do a Geraint Thomas’ with Vuelta a España podium bid

Quintana hails thomas' ride to the podium in the tour de france as example of how cycling's elder statesmen can stand up to the 'youth boom.'.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

The 37-year-old Geraint Thomas hit a Tour de France podium topped by twentysomethings, and now Nairo Quintana wants to do it for the old dudes at the Vuelta a España .

At 32 years of age, Quintana is the elder statesman of a Vuelta GC start list filled with Gen-Z stars like Remco Evenepoel, João Almeida, and Sergio Higuita.

But that’s not going to hold back a grand tour veteran that won the red jersey when some of his rivals were still in school uniform.

“There is very good participation with very important teams and quite serious leaders. I think Arkéa-Samsic can have a good general classification and I want to look for the podium,” Quintana told MARCA this weekend.

• Quintana on brink of extending with Arkéa-Samsic, targeting GC at Vuelta a España
• Thomas on 2022 Tour triumph: ‘I don’t think the team had the same level of belief in me’

Quintana scored his best Tour de France finish in six years when he landed sixth overall in Paris last month.

Four of the five spots above Arkéa-Samsic’s captain were occupied by riders aged 26 or younger. But who came third in France? None other than grizzled Welsh warhorse “G” Thomas.

Like the Ineos Grenadiers captain, Quintana is one of a small clutch of riders still bracing back against the “youth boom” while other elders ride toward retirement.

“It is normal for a decline to come at any time in life. But we have also seen this year that Geraint Thomas reached the podium of the Tour at 37 years old, and other older riders continue to make history, like Alejandro Valverde,” Quintana said.

Thomas talked of how he pumped his best power numbers at this year’s Tour de France. Quintana’s Arkéa teammates hailed the Colombian’s “no stone unturned” approach to performance as scrapped against Tour rivals far his junior.

“I think that this slowdown depends on the care one has with one’s body. But I think the career of these young stars will be much shorter,” Quintana said. “For now, I feel good and in a position to continue enjoying the team and the race in the moment that we are in.”

Still life in the old dogs

Quintana rode tantalizingly close to the podium at this year’s Tour de France.

The Colombian captain led the chase behind a rampaging Jonas Vingegaaard on the Col du Granon and clawed his way through the classification during the back-half of the Tour.

Two stages sitting fourth overall saw Quintana teetering on what would have been a huge result for his French team before the late rise of his rivals left him sixth.

Arkéa-Samsic is aiming for the podium again in Spain, and this time, it doesn’t have to devote riders to a harrowing first week of crosswinds and cobblestones.

“After the Tour de France I have been able to recover my body and I am very calm,” Quintana said.

“Now we have a team with more climbers – more than in the Tour, where we opted for the riders for the first week. That gives me the peace of mind of knowing that in the mountains I can be better accompanied. I’m sure we can be fine.”

With Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar, and Egan Bernal all non-starters for the Vuelta a España, the Spanish race starts with a wide-open field flooded with podium contenders.

Quintana got a first-hand view of Pogačar and Vingegaard tearing into each other through France, and saw the Slovenian in all of his last four grand tours.

“I think Pogačar is a bit stronger than Vingegaard. It is clear that Vingegaard has a great and very powerful team that helps complement him as a cyclist,” Quintana said. “The two are very even and I think we are going to see good wars from here on out in the following Tours de France.”

The absence of the Tour’s terrible twosome leaves teams that were picking for scraps in France sniffing victory in this summer’s Spanish race.

“We are taking advantage of the opportunities that arise behind Vingegard and Pogačar,” Quintana said. “As long as we have the legs, we will continue trying to be there with them.”

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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/jonas-vingegaard-undergoes-surgery-in-spain-with-recovery-time-not-yet-clear\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"jonas vingegaard undergoes surgery in spain, with recovery time \u2018not yet clear\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/jonas-vingegaard-undergoes-surgery-in-spain-with-recovery-time-not-yet-clear\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"jonas vingegaard undergoes surgery in spain, with recovery time \u2018not yet clear\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n jonas vingegaard undergoes surgery in spain, with recovery time \u2018not yet clear\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"ketones: cycling superfuel or marketing hype visma-lease a bike study seeks to dispel the 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visma-lease a bike study seeks to dispel the doubts\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"woman who threw object at mathieu van der poel\u2019s wheel \u2018to turn herself in\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/woman-who-threw-object-at-mathieu-van-der-poels-wheel-to-turn-herself-in\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/woman-who-threw-object-at-mathieu-van-der-poels-wheel-to-turn-herself-in\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"woman who threw object at mathieu van der poel\u2019s wheel \u2018to turn herself in\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/woman-who-threw-object-at-mathieu-van-der-poels-wheel-to-turn-herself-in\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"woman who threw object at mathieu van der poel\u2019s wheel \u2018to turn herself in\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n woman who threw object at mathieu van der poel\u2019s wheel \u2018to turn herself in\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"more harrowing details of itzulia crash: \u2018can\u2019t believe i will be able to walk and play with my kids one day\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/more-harrowing-details-of-itzulia-basque-country-crash-a-brush-with-death\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/more-harrowing-details-of-itzulia-basque-country-crash-a-brush-with-death\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"more harrowing details of itzulia crash: \u2018can\u2019t believe i will be able to walk and play with my kids one day\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": 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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/not-my-specialty-but-im-going-to-try-can-mathieu-van-der-poel-deny-pogacar-at-liege-bastogne-liege\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018not my specialty but i\u2019m going to try\u2019: can mathieu van der poel pip pogacar at li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/not-my-specialty-but-im-going-to-try-can-mathieu-van-der-poel-deny-pogacar-at-liege-bastogne-liege\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018not my specialty but i\u2019m going to try\u2019: can mathieu van der poel pip pogacar at li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018not my specialty but i\u2019m going to try\u2019: can mathieu van der poel pip pogacar at li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018the sport is 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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-rewind-cool-kopecky-magnificent-mathieu-and-jury-drops-hammer-on-tarling-van-dijke\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"paris-roubaix rewind: cool kopecky, magnificent mathieu, and jury drops hammer on tarling, van dijke\"}}\u0027>\n paris-roubaix rewind: cool kopecky, magnificent mathieu, and jury drops hammer on tarling, van dijke\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"injury updates: van aert \u2018feeling a bit like myself again\u2019; k\u00e4mna out of icu; no surgery for vine\u2019s spinal fractures","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/wout-van-aert-feeling-a-bit-like-myself-again-after-dwars-crash\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/wout-van-aert-feeling-a-bit-like-myself-again-after-dwars-crash\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"injury 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\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/paris-roubaix-tech-gallery-big-tires-and-gravel-bikes\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"paris-roubaix tech gallery: big tires and gravel bikes\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/paris-roubaix-tech-gallery-big-tires-and-gravel-bikes\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"paris-roubaix tech gallery: big tires and gravel bikes\"}}\u0027>\n paris-roubaix tech gallery: big tires and gravel bikes\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"paris-roubaix on gravel bikes factor gravel bikes to be raced this weekend","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-on-gravel-bikes-factor-gravel-bikes-to-be-raced-this-weekend\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-on-gravel-bikes-factor-gravel-bikes-to-be-raced-this-weekend\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"paris-roubaix on gravel bikes factor gravel bikes to be raced this weekend\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-on-gravel-bikes-factor-gravel-bikes-to-be-raced-this-weekend\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"paris-roubaix on gravel bikes factor gravel bikes to be raced this weekend\"}}\u0027>\n paris-roubaix on gravel bikes factor gravel bikes to be raced this weekend\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"power analysis: how mathieu van der poel eviscerated paris-roubaix","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/power-analysis-mathieu-van-der-poel-paris-roubaix\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/power-analysis-mathieu-van-der-poel-paris-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"power analysis: how mathieu van der poel eviscerated paris-roubaix\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/power-analysis-mathieu-van-der-poel-paris-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"power analysis: how mathieu van der poel eviscerated paris-roubaix\"}}\u0027>\n power analysis: how mathieu van der poel eviscerated paris-roubaix\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"mathieu van der poel untouchable at paris-roubaix with 60km solo raid","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-van-der-poel-unmatchable-with-60km-solo-raid\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-van-der-poel-unmatchable-with-60km-solo-raid\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel untouchable at paris-roubaix with 60km solo raid\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/paris-roubaix-van-der-poel-unmatchable-with-60km-solo-raid\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel untouchable at paris-roubaix with 60km solo raid\"}}\u0027>\n mathieu van der poel untouchable at paris-roubaix with 60km solo raid\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"evenepoel, vingegaard, vine, kras, quinn sustain fractures, rogli\u010d escapes with no broken bones","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/evenepoel-vingegaard-roglic-all-crash-in-high-speed-spill-at-itzulia-basque-country\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/evenepoel-vingegaard-roglic-all-crash-in-high-speed-spill-at-itzulia-basque-country\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"evenepoel, vingegaard, vine, kras, quinn sustain fractures, rogli\u010d escapes with no broken bones\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/evenepoel-vingegaard-roglic-all-crash-in-high-speed-spill-at-itzulia-basque-country\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"evenepoel, vingegaard, vine, kras, quinn sustain fractures, rogli\u010d escapes with no broken bones\"}}\u0027>\n evenepoel, vingegaard, vine, kras, quinn sustain fractures, rogli\u010d escapes with no broken bones\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the third generation bmc roadmachine is suddenly a lot more capable","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/bmc-roadmachine-more-capable\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/bmc-roadmachine-more-capable\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the third generation bmc roadmachine is suddenly a lot more capable\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/bmc-roadmachine-more-capable\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the third generation bmc roadmachine is suddenly a lot more capable\"}}\u0027>\n the third generation bmc roadmachine is suddenly a lot more capable\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"bianchi says mechanics disregarded instructions in paris-roubaix bike issues","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/bianchi-issues-paris-roubaix\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/bianchi-issues-paris-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"bianchi says mechanics disregarded instructions in paris-roubaix bike issues\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/bianchi-issues-paris-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"bianchi says mechanics disregarded instructions in paris-roubaix bike issues\"}}\u0027>\n bianchi says mechanics disregarded instructions in paris-roubaix bike issues\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"photo essay: the drama of paris-roubaix, by chris auld","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/photo-essay-the-drama-of-paris-roubaix-by-chris-auld\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/photo-essay-the-drama-of-paris-roubaix-by-chris-auld\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"photo essay: the drama of paris-roubaix, by chris auld\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/photo-essay-the-drama-of-paris-roubaix-by-chris-auld\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"photo essay: the drama of paris-roubaix, by chris auld\"}}\u0027>\n photo essay: the drama of paris-roubaix, by chris auld\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>careers >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>terms of use >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>site map >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>my newsletters manage cookie preferences privacy request healthy living.

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Quintana defies climber stereotype on Tour de France pavé stage

Colombian mountain specialist finishes 14th in Wallers

On a fraught, crash-filled cobbled stage of the Tour de France, few might have expected an out-and-out climber like Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) to be mixing it with the one-day specialists and more heavily built GC contenders.

The Colombian's 14th place on stage 5 to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut confirms that Quintana had torn up the script for the mountain specialists in style, finishing solidly in the main group led by yellow jersey holder Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).

Quintana remains in 19th place overall before the race enters terrain that is more favourable for him, like the Planche des Belles Filles summit finish on Friday and further mountain challenges in the Tour de France from Sunday onwards. Wednesday's performance will surely provide a welcome boost to the 32-year-old's morale.

Pogacar aggressive on the cobbles and again best of Tour de France contenders The current GC standings in the 2022 Tour de France after stage 5 The complete guide to the 2022 Tour de France

Quintana was in defiantly upbeat form when he talked to reporters after stage 5, pointing out that the team is still growing to its full strength compared to other top squads, but "we knew how to defend ourselves well on this terrain."

"My time spent riding on the off-roads in my home region mountains in Boyaca helped me today for sure. And riding over the pavés in previous Tours assisted me, too."

One Colombian journalist even suggested that not only had the former Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España winner written remarkable chapters in the sporting history of his country in the past, his achievements on the Arenberg stage also constituted another glowing page in the annals of Colombian cycling. But rather than agree or disagree, Quintana responded that when "faced by non-believers and difficulties" [like stage 5], his riding was "more a question of willpower and the heart's desire to move forward every moment, which enables us to be up there with the best."

Asked what he meant by non-believers, Quintana argued that "It's not normal when you weigh 56 or 57 kilos you can race at 60 kilometres an hour across the pavé. That's what people think about all the riders who are my size."

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Quintana felt that his results are a cause for optimism for future challenges in what remains of the Tour. "We're pleased and we'll go on fighting," he promised, "and let's see where we get us."

"We want to work well here and we'll show that Arkéa's step up into the WorldTour [in 2023] is no gift, we've worked for it."

Now in his early 30s, Quintana commented that riders of his generation were gradually disappearing from the peloton "and there's only a few of us left and only a few of us are still motivated.

"So we have to go on enjoying racing. It's not all or always about winning, it's also about having an important role and taking opportunities, and giving people something to talk about, as happened today."

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Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews , he has also written for The Independent ,  The Guardian ,  ProCycling , The Express and Reuters .

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