At the end of the season, Nairo Quintana will hang up his bike after nearly two decades as a professional cyclist, but he will not abandon the world of cycling.

The Colombian, who will turn thirty-seven in February, is working on creating a team that will allow young Latin American cyclists to compete at the highest level. "I want to dedicate myself seriously and personally to this project," said the winner of the 2014 Giro d'Italia to Deportes RCN.

Nothing improvised, but a solid structure. Quintana has repeated this several times. "The idea is to create a team like those that exist in Europe. A serious squad that can guarantee athletes the ability to prepare well to compete at the level of the world's best," he stated.

In building the roster, priority will be given to Latin American riders, but the squad will feature "a mix of nationalities, talented cyclists who can grow with us but also help us grow as a team. Today in sport there is a need for a lot of professionalism and European cyclists with their experience and greater cycling culture will be important in the squad."

Quintana, who last December traveled to Chicago to take a business management course, also clarified what role he wants for himself in the team that will be born: "General Manager, that's the idea."

Before sitting at the desk, however, there is one last season in the saddle to complete. Nairo, speaking recently on Radio Caracol, had not hidden some disappointment at not being included in the Movistar lineup that will tackle the Vuelta starting today: "Ten years ago I won the Spanish race and I would have liked to say goodbye there. But in the end a team is like a company and must get the most out of the riders it fields. That's fine."

With the possibility of one last dance at the Vuelta fading, Quintana could end his career at the World Championships in Montreal. No confirmation yet from the Colombian Federation, but according to the website Mundo Ciclistico, seeing Nairo end his career in the Colombian national team jersey would be more than just a possibility.