Cycling news - Nairo Quintana says he left Movistar because he 'wanted to be happy'

ByThe Editorial Team

Published 27/03/2020 at 17:19 GMT

Nairo Quintana has revealed he left Movistar because he “wanted to be happy” and didn’t want to "wage war" with the other team leaders.

The Colombian ended an eight-year association with Movistar last year to step down a level and join French team Arkea-Samsic.

Having competed with Alejandro Valverde and Mikel Landa for leadership at Movistar, he is now with a team whose place at Grand Tour events is not guaranteed.

But he told El Tiempo: “I do not regret having dropped a rank.

Tour of the Alps

Tour of the Alps Stage 4 highlights as Britain's Carr surges to victory and Lopez retains GC lead

00:02:51

|

14 hours ago

“I wanted to be happy, I did not want to argue with the other leaders, waging war is not my way of working. We have a lot of responsibility in this adventure. Winning is good, it gives me confidence and joy.”

Nairo Quintana competed with Alejandro Valverde for leadership at Movistar

Image credit: Eurosport

Quintana is a two-time Grand Tour winner but has struggled to contend at the major races over the last few years.

He did, though, start positively with Arkea-Samsic this year and is hopeful for the future.

“We have a lot of responsibility in this adventure. Winning is good, it gives me confidence and joy. Now I’m motivated to win.

“We are calm and growing. We have to keep improving. We don’t have a team like Ineos but we work to have the best riders and have more support.

“It was a risky decision [moving to Arkea]. We studied what the team gave us and the options to compete in the UCI WorldTour and more specifically in the Tour de France, which was the most important thing.

“When they confirmed that there would be no problems competing in the Tour, I did not hesitate and signed.”

Cycling

Cavendish set to return from illness at Tour of Turkey as Tour de France preparation continues

21 hours ago

Flèche Wallonne Women

Highlights: Niewiadoma reigns supreme at Fleche Wallone Femme

00:06:10

|

Yesterday at 17:55

Flèche Wallonne Women

Niewiadoma sprints to last-gasp victory at Fleche Wallonne Femmes

Yesterday at 17:55