Nairo Quintana retires and calls for investment in Colombian cycling

Colombian professional cyclist Nairo Quintana has officially retired from professional cycling following his final competition at the Giro di Emilia on October 3, 2026. His career spanned 17 seasons and included major victories such as the 2014 Giro d'Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España, along with runner-up finishes in the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015.

Following the announcement, fellow cyclist Rigoberto Urán released a humorous video on social media welcoming Quintana to the retired community.

Addressing the current state of the sport, Quintana has called for increased public and private investment to combat what he describes as a crisis in Colombian cycling. He emphasized the need for serious, structured projects to provide young riders with economic stability and to move away from a culture of merely asking for favors. Quintana noted that the retirements of himself and Urán mark the end of a golden era for Colombian cycling, highlighting the importance of leadership and organized investment to cultivate future champions.