Paris -
The Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana, currently leading the Vuelta a España-2019, will leave the Movistar team at the end of the season to join Arkea Samsic for the next three years, announced Emmanuel Hubert, the general manager of the French team, in a press conference near Rennes.
Quintana, winner of the Giro d'Italia-2014, the Vuelta a España-2016, and twice second in the Tour de France, joins the French Professional Continental team, the second division of world cycling.
"It is a pride and an honor for our entire team, as Nairo is one of the global stars of our sport and a planetary star in South America," said Hubert about the famous climber, who "is only 29 years old," as he recalled.
"The Arkea Samsic team progresses every year. I have followed their development, I have been interested in their project, and above all, I like their ideology. I believe it is a team where human values are very important," the rider said in a statement published by the team.
"I was looking for a team where I would be happy. I think that is the key to fully realize myself professionally," he added.
Quintana will be the "co-leader" of Arkea Samsic starting in 2020 alongside Warren Barguil, the current French champion, said Hubert.
"Nairo is still in the game. He has not finished adding results to his record. We want to show ourselves as one of the best teams in the world and win a grand tour," insisted the director of Arkea, whose budget will increase significantly next season.
In 2019, Quintana won the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Gap and Valloire.
"It is a change in my career," acknowledged the 'Condor,' "but it is a positive change, I am convinced. My ambitions remain the same. Personally and collectively, the goal is to fight to win the Tour de France," he warned.
The first contacts with his agent began in the northern spring, and other riders will join Arkea at the same time as the Colombian, who has finished on the podium of the 'Grande Boucle' three times (2nd in 2013 and 2015, 3rd in 2016).
"I already know Warren (Barguil), we have participated in the same races since the lower categories," Quintana pointed out. Barguil "needs someone by his side to support him sometimes," considered Hubert, who wants a "distribution" of responsibilities between the two champions.
In addition to Nairo, his brother Dayer and another compatriot, Winner Anacona, as well as the Italian Diego Rosa (Ineos), will strengthen the team's roster.
"The sports management chose to sign riders close to me. It is very important for me to reunite with Dayer, Winner Anacona, and Diego Rosa," explained the new signing.
"We act as if we were already a Pro Tour team," Hubert interjected. With Quintana, Arkea seeks more than ever a place in the elite of world cycling to stop depending on invitations to compete in the grand tours.