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Nairo Quintana retires after 17 seasons, final race at Giro dell'Emilia
Nairo Quintana retired from professional cycling after competing in the 2026 Giro dell'Emilia, a 197.9 km race from Ferrara to Bologna, on October 3, 2026. Cyclists formed a guard of honour for him at the start of the race to mark his 17-season career. Davide Piganzoli won the race, with Tom Pidcock second and Oscar Onley third.
What this means
Quintana's exclusion from the Vuelta a España 2026 roster meant his career ended without a final Grand Tour appearance, closing instead at the Giro dell'Emilia.
In August, Movistar Team excluded him from its roster for the Vuelta a España 2026, meaning he could not compete in any Grand Tour in his last season. Over his career he won the Giro d'Italia 2014 and the Vuelta a España 2016, and finished second at the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015 and third in 2016.
Sources
Nairo Quintana to Retire from Professional Cycling: Giro dell'Emilia Will Be His Final RaceNairo Quintana To Retire At End Of 2026 Season - FloBikesAdiós a una leyenda: Nairo Quintana se retira del ciclismo con un emotivo homenajeGiro dell'Emilia: Davide Piganzoli takes victory after perfectly timed attack in final five kilometresNairo Quintana Left Out of Movistar Team for Vuelta a España 2026Colombian Cyclist Nairo Quintana Announces his Retirement'I want to dedicate it with all my heart to the memory of our beloved compatriot Camilo Muñoz' – Nairo Quintana takes first victory in four years at the Vuelta Asturias'It is all over' - Grand Tour champion and Tour de France podium finisher Nairo Quintana announces retirementQuintana's retirement marks the passing of an eraQuintana's retirement marks the passing of an eraNairo Quintana
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