Nairo Quintana, positive in an anti-doping control during the Tour

Very hard setback for Nairo Quintana. The Arkéa cyclist has been disqualified from the last edition of the Tour de France, in which he finished in sixth position, after traces of tramadol, a prohibited substance, appeared in one of the anti-doping controls to which the Colombian was subjected.

“Analyses of two dried blood samples provided by the cyclist on July 8 and 13 during the 2022 Tour de France revealed the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites. In accordance with the medical rules of the UCI, the cyclist is disqualified from the Tour de France 2022. This decision can be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the next 10 days, “said the UCI in a statement.

“During the 2022 Tour de France, a total of 120 dried blood samples were collected as part of the tramadol programme. Violations of the competing ban on using tramadol are offenses under UCI medical rules. They do not constitute anti-doping rule violations. As it is a first offense, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas is not declared ineligible and therefore can participate in competitions, “adds the UCI note.

The news jumps two days before the start of the Vuelta a España, in which Nairo Quintana is registered as leader of the Arkéa. The Colombian, winner of the Spanish round in 2016 and the Giro d’Italia in 2014, who had just renewed with the formation until 2025, aspired to complete a great race with the aim of reaching the podium, but now his team will have to decide if he takes the exit.