Rennes (AFP)
The Colombian Nairo Quintana, head of the Vuelta, will leave the Movistar team to join Arkea-Samsic, with a three-year contract, said Monday the general manager of the Breton training, Emmanuel Hubert, at a conference of press near Rennes.
"It's a pride and an honor for all of our team, because Nairo is one of the world's stars of our sport, and a global star in South America," said Hubert of the very popular climber who "n ' is only 29 years old, "he said.
Quintana, twice second and once third in the Tour de France, will be the "co-leader" of Arkea-Samsic from 2020 with Warren Barguil, the reigning French champion, said Hubert. At his side Yvon Ledanois, sports director, who led for two years the young Quintana at Movistar, at age 21, when he began his career.
"Nairo is still in the game, he has not finished to score on his record, we want to be one of the best teams in the world and win a big Tour," said Arkea's boss. Samsic, whose budget will increase significantly next season.
Winner of the Giro 2014 and the Vuelta 2016, Quintana won this summer, alone, the stage-marathon Tour de France between Gap and Valloire.
The first contacts with his agent go back to the spring and other riders are expected at Arkea-Samsic at the same time as the Colombian, ridden three times on the Tour de France podium (2nd in 2013 and 2015, 3rd in 2018).
His brother Dayer and another countryman, Winner Anacona, as well as the Italian Diego Rosa (Ineos), will expand the team of Brittany, waiting for other important announcements in about ten days.
"We are doing everything as if we were already a Pro Tour team," said the general manager. With Quintana, he aims more than ever a place in the elite of world cycling, so no longer have to ask invitations for the great Tours.
dlo / sg
© 2019 AFP