Within the aftermath of Nairo Quintana’s departure from Arkéa-Samsic following his Tramadol double optimistic, Astana-Qazaqstan have emerged as a possible vacation spot.
An extension to the Colombian’s stint at Arkéa-Samsic was introduced within the days earlier than his Tour de France Tramadol positives got here to gentle, however L’Équipe reviews that nothing was formally signed between the rider and the group, simply permitting each events to subsequently go their separate methods.
The 32-year-old is subsequently a free agent, and the French newspaper additionally reviews that the 2 frontrunners for his signature are Astana-Qazaqstan and Ag2r Citroën, though the latter have denied any contact with the rider or his agent.
“Opposite to an info launched in numerous medias, Ag2r Citroën has by no means had any contact with Nairo Quintana or his agent and isn’t interested in his recruitment,” the group mentioned in a really clear assertion.
Having spent three years with a ProTeam squad, a transfer to Astana would see Quintana race for a WorldTour outfit as soon as once more.
In his announcement that he could be leaving Arkéa-Samsic, Quintana reiterated his declare that he has “by no means used [Tramadol] in his profession” and his case remains to be being thought-about by the court docket of Arbitration for Sport.
Because the information of his departure from the French group broke, rumours began circling that one other Francophone outfit was interested by his signature, with Ag2r Citroën now ruling themselves out of that pool of potential suitors. Astana-Qazaqstan would current a very good match, given their propensity for concentrating on Grand Excursions with climbers on the helm.
Astana nonetheless have house of their squad for subsequent yr, whereas Arkéa-Samsic at the moment solely have 15 riders signed for subsequent yr and Quintana’s departure frees up much more finances to play with.
Quintana apart, Mark Cavendish remains to be essentially the most distinguished free agent available on the market, however there isn’t any phrase but as as to if Arkéa-Samsic might be . The revamped B&B Motels squad, with Carrefour coming in as a significant headline sponsor, are nonetheless the frontrunners for the British sprinter’s signature, which may additionally doubtlessly home Quintana. In gentle of the Colombian’s departure from Arkéa-Samsic, may the group make a swoop from the Manxman since they’re now in want of a brand new star rider? Particularly given the dearth of accessible massive names nonetheless with no contract.
