Quintana believes Pogacar makes the Giro spectacular and warns: "Movistar wants to win the Vuelta"

Nairo Quintana gets to prepare for two grand tours in 2025. He will wear a race number at the Giro d'Italia in early May and at the start of La Vuelta in late August. The 34-year-old Colombian, who won the Giro in 2014 and the Vuelta in 2016, shares the leading position in Italy with compatriot Einer Rubio. Later in the year, he went all-in for victory in Spain with his leader, Enric Mas.

When the Giro organization announced the official course on Monday, January 13, it did not receive high praise from veteran Thomas De Gendt, among others. Unlike the Belgian, however, Quintana is delighted with the route. "I dare say it, and with all due respect: the Giro will be the race that will provide the most spectacle of the three grand tours."

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Pogacar in the 2024 Giro d'Italia

Pogacar one of the main reasons for a spectacular Giro

According to Quintana, Tadej Pogacar is a key reason why this year's Giro d'Italia will be the grand tour with the most spectacle. The Colombian says many riders will opt for La Corsa Rosa because last year's winner, Pogacar, is unlikely to be at the start in Italy. Because of this, Quintana says there is more chance of an open race, and several riders will try to give it their all.

"The Giro will be a big surprise every day, with attacks and impressive strategies. We have to be watchful and hunt in choppy waters," continued Quintana, who will also travel to the southern European country with ambitions on behalf of Movistar. "The goal is always to win and reach the highest. That's what we feel like as a team and what we aim for."

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Movistar on the podium of La Vuelta

Movistar wants to compete for overall victory in their 'Vuelta'

Quintana is starting the season on Spanish soil. In preparation for his first big goal, the Giro d'Italia, he will start on the Spanish island of Mallorca, where he will ride five races. After that, Quintana will move on to Italy via the WorldTour races Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia. Once his first big finish ends in early June, the Movistar rider will focus on his next main goal: La Vuelta.

Quintana will ride in Spain for Enric Mas at Movistar. The team wants to compete for the highest possible result in their 'home race.' "The Vuelta is a big responsibility, a big challenge, and it will always be in the name of Movistar to try to win," the Colombian told Spanish Marca.

But is this goal realistic by any means? On behalf of Visma | Lease a Bike, Jonas Vingegaard will participate in the grand tour. The Dane, who finished second in the GC in 2023, will probably compete in Spain with Pogacar. The Slovenian has not officially confirmed his participation but has declared his desire to win La Vuelta. So whether Movistar's men can get involved in the battle between the two best grand tour riders of recent years remains to be seen, but we are eager to be surprised.

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