Nairo Quintana returns to European racing at Volta a Catalunya

Nairo Quintana
Nairo Quintana before stage 1 of the Volta a Catalunya (Image credit: Getty Images)

There have been illnesses and delays, but after a year-long hiatus Nairo Quintana finally made his return to a WorldTour event at the Volta a Catalunya on Monday, a race with which he has strong emotional and historical connections.

Quintana, 33, had a positive test for tramadol and subsequent disqualification from the 2022 Tour de France. In-competition use of tramadol was barred by the UCI in 2019 but was only added to the WADA banned list from January 1, 2024. Although Quintana could continue racing after his positive tests, he was unable to find a team for 2023.

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.