The Colombian cycling star Nairo Quintana, who has been the overall winner in both the Giro d'Italia and the Spanish major competition Vuelta, was sixth in this year's Tour de France.
But yesterday it was announced that his results from this year's Tour de France will be cancelled, as he has tested positive for the opioid painkiller Tramadol in his body.
Claims his innocence
Tramadol does not violate the anti-doping rules, writes the UCI, but it has been banned from use in connection with competition since 2019 because of the side effects.
However, Quintana maintains his innocence.
- I am completely unaware of how this substance got into me, and I deny having used it in my career, he says according to Eurosport.
- I will not participate in Vuletan as I will make a petition to Cas (Sports Court of Arbitration).
I will return to competitions at the end of the season.
On Instagram, he explains that he is simply not fit to compete.
- Right now, neither my head nor my body is in condition to compete, he says there.