Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana announced his retirement from professional cycling at the end of the 2026 season, bringing to a close an outstanding 17-year career at the highest level of the sport. He made the announcement during a press conference on Sunday, March 22, confirming that this will be his final year as a rider and marking the end of an era for Colombian cycling.
“It is an important moment for my family and for me. Today, I have come to tell you that this is my last season as a professional cyclist. It is not my last race, so every race I compete in this year will be a great celebration, a final dance in each competition. I am doing it this way because I want to enjoy these beautiful moments with the fans and with all the people who have been by my side throughout these 17 years of my professional career,” said the rider from Boyaca.
At 36 years old and as a member of the Movistar Team, Quintana will face one final season in which he aims to say goodbye in top-level competitions, with the Vuelta a España — where he was crowned champion in 2016 — among his possible final appearances.
Nairo Quintana’s career in cycling
Quintana established himself as one of the best climbers in the world thanks to his performances in high-mountain stages and his discipline. His professional career took off in Europe after joining Movistar Team in 2012, where he achieved his greatest successes and became a leading figure in Latin American cycling.
Among his most important achievements is his victory at the 2014 Giro d’Italia, where he made history as the first Colombian to win the race. He also claimed the 2016 Vuelta a España title, becoming one of the few Latin American cyclists to win two Grand Tours.
In the Tour de France, Quintana also left his mark by finishing runner-up twice (2013 and 2015) and third in 2016, in addition to winning the mountains classification and the young rider classification in different editions. Throughout his career, he accumulated more than 50 professional victories, establishing himself as one of the most important cyclists of his generation.
The legacy of Nairo Quintana in Colombia
Beyond his titles, Nairo Quintana’s impact goes far beyond results. His story, shaped by humble beginnings in Boyaca, inspired an entire generation of Colombian cyclists who now shine on the international stage, such as Egan Bernal and Daniel Felipe Martinez.
Quintana not only opened doors for Colombian cycling in Europe but also changed the global perception of the country in the sport, proving that Colombian riders could compete and win in the most demanding races in the world.
His retirement marks the end of a golden era, but it also leaves behind a strong legacy that will continue to influence the development of cycling in Colombia. During his final season, each race will be an opportunity to honor a career that transformed the history of the sport in the country.