Nairo Quintana to Lead Movistar Team in the Giro d’Italia

The Return of Nairo Quintana: A New Challenge for Movistar Team

The recent return of Nairo Quintana to the Movistar team has caused quite a stir. For years, Enric Mas has been the sole leader of the Spanish squad, but the arrival of the Colombian cyclist has opened up an opportunity for him to challenge Mas for the throne. This revelation came directly from Eusebio Unzué, the team director, who expressed his delight with Nairo’s arrival and hinted at his potential to lead the team in certain competitions.

Nairo Quintana: Movistar’s Leader in the Giro d’Italia

Contrary to keeping Nairo Quintana’s calendar a secret, La Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed the plans of the Movistar Team and confirmed that Nairo will be competing against other renowned cyclists such as Geraint Thomas (Ineos) and Simon Yates (Jayco). The Italian media has boldly stated that Nairo Quintana will be the leader of Movistar in the upcoming Giro d’Italia.

A Familiar Territory for Quintana

In a recent publication, the prestigious media outlet confirmed that Nairo Quintana will be participating in the Italian round, a race he won ten years ago in 2014. The Giro d’Italia will take place from May 4th to 26th, starting in Turin and ending in Rome. While there is still time before the competition, teams must plan their riders’ calendars well in advance to ensure they reach peak performance at the right moment.

A Surprising Turn of Events

While it is not surprising that Quintana will be competing in the Giro, it is unexpected how quickly he has become an integral part of the team, even surpassing the possibility of Enric Mas participating in the race. Vincenzo Nibali, one of Italy’s finest cyclists, has advised Mas to consider the Giro d’Italia in 2024, highlighting its similarities to La Vuelta and its potential for showcasing great performance. However, Quintana’s presence in the Giro indicates that a change of scenery is unlikely for Mas.

Quintana’s Dream and Future Races

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Quintana did not request to compete in the Giro. His enthusiasm lies in simply enjoying the WorldTour calendar and the thrill of being among his competitors. Quintana expressed, “My dream is to wear the number on my back and feel the same excitement as the first day of competition when I was in Tunja. It’s like returning home.” Quintana will finalize his race schedule for 2024 starting on December 20th.