Nairo Quintana pulls out of Vuelta a España after tramadol positives

HAUTACAM FRANCE JULY 21 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas of Colombia and Team Arka Samsic competes while fans cheer during the 109th Tour de France 2022 Stage 18 a 1432km stage from Lourdes to Hautacam 1520m TDF2022 WorldTour on July 21 2022 in Hautacam France Photo by Michael SteeleGetty Images
Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) won't be racing the Vuelta a España (Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Nairo Quintana has announced that he will not be taking part in the upcoming Vuelta a España following the news on Wednesday that he had been disqualified from the Tour de France following two positive tests for tramadol.

The Colombian, who was set to lead Arkéa-Samsic into the race, announced on Thursday morning that he wouldn't be taking part, even though he is permitted under UCI rules to do so.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.