New dark clouds on the horizon for Nairo Quintana. The Marseille tribunal has in fact convicted Colombian doctor Fredy Gonzales Torres to six months suspended prison sentence and a fine of 15,000 euros for possession and administration of a prohibited substance to brothers Nairo and Dayer Quintana. The events date back to the 2020 Tour de France, when the Quintana brothers were riding for Arkea Samsic.

This verdict provides the UCI with the opportunity to open an official proceeding against Quintana and potentially reach a retroactive sanction that could effectively end the Colombian's career, who was announced at the start of the next Giro d'Italia.

During two searches conducted on September 16, 2020, in the hotel occupied by Team Arkéa during the Tour de France, infusion equipment - used to dose medications - and medications were seized in Dr. Gonzalez's room.

In the verdict, Judge Lola Vandermaesen highlighted that the number of products seized, including 32 syringes and several 250 ml physiological serum bags, was "incompatible with strictly personal use". It was also noted that hemostatic bands were found with genetic profiles of the doctor and the two riders, and the explanations provided by the defense were considered unfounded.

Dr. Gonzalez was also ordered to pay 60,500 euros to the Arkéa team as compensation for economic, moral, and image damages. His lawyer, Mohamed El Yousfi, announced his intention to appeal.

During the trial, the Marseille prosecutor described the doctor as a sort of guru who proposed to riders therapies based on lemon juice, garlic puree, and ground coffee and asked them to constantly repeat number sequences, with the aim of restoring mental balance.

Experience suggests that, after this verdict, the UCI will request the trial documents from the French court and may proceed against Nairo Quintana, while his brother Dayer has long since hung up his bicycle.