At the end of the season, another great cyclist will leave the world of professional racing. It is Nairo Quintana, the Condor, who at 36 years old has decided to hang up his bike for good. It is not yet known what his final race will be, and his calendar will be decided on a race-by-race basis.

The Condor has spent the last seventeen years at the highest level and his palmares includes victories at the 2014 Giro d'Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España. The announcement of his retirement came today, on the eve of the start of the Volta a Catalunya. «This is an important moment for me, for my family, for my country, for everyone who has always been by my side - Quintana explained - I came here to tell you that this is my last season as a professional cyclist. Every race I compete in this year will be a great celebration, a farewell dance each time».

Quintana has been one of Colombia's most prominent cyclists and has been a national idol for nearly two decades. He was the first Colombian to win the Giro d'Italia in 2014 (and the second to win a Grand Tour after Lucho Herrera at the 1987 Vuelta a España and before Egan Bernal), also winner of the Vuelta in 2016, and shone at the Tour de France without wearing the yellow jersey (2nd in 2013 and 2015, 3rd in 2016). But above all, through his journey, his humility, the boy from Boyacá with humble origins, he has been the symbol of a population that recognized itself in him.

His career has not been without difficult moments, but even scandals have failed to dampen the affection the public has always shown him. The biggest scandal that accompanied the end of his career is linked to the 2020 Tour de France for suspected doping practices, which led five years later to the conviction of his doctor for possession and administration of a prohibited substance or method; then two positive tests for tramadol, a prohibited but non-doping substance, which led to his disqualification from the 2022 Tour, in which he had just secured sixth place with the colors of Arkéa-Samsic. Quintana is the cyclist who never bent to fatigue and never gave too much to the cameras. In Colombia he is a spokesperson for many campaigns in favor of the most vulnerable children and his achievements have often served to encourage young people to commit themselves to sport. Quintana in his final season has no particular ambitions, but will certainly try to give his best in any race he competes in.