Nairo Alexánder Quintana Rojas established himself as a dominant climbing specialist by navigating the Eastern Ranges of the Andes on a second-hand mountain bike. Born in 1990 in Tunja, Colombia, he emerged from a farming family to reach the podium of major international stage races, securing his status as a prominent figure in the history of Colombian cycling.
Early Development and Transition
Quintana grew up in Cómbita, where his family saved for a bicycle to facilitate his 16 km commute to school. At age 15, he sustained injuries in a collision with a taxi that left him in a coma for five days. Despite this, his father funded a racing cycle to support his aspirations. He began his professional progression with the Boyacá es para Vivirla team, eventually moving to the national squad for his 2010 Tour de l'Avenir victory.
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In 2012, Quintana joined the Spanish Movistar Team. That year, he secured wins at the Vuelta a Murcia, the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Route du Sud, and the Giro dell'Emilia. By 2013, he achieved a milestone at the Tour de France, where he finished second overall and claimed both the mountains and young rider classifications. This performance solidified his reputation as a formidable opponent on steep gradients.
Major Stage Race Victories
The 2014 season saw Quintana secure an overall win at the Tour de San Luis before targeting the Giro d'Italia. Despite a difficult start caused by illness and a crash at Monte Cassino, he claimed the leader's pink jersey following a controversial ascent of the Stelvio Pass. He later solidified his career with an overall victory at the 2016 Vuelta a España.
Fast facts
- Born: 4 February 1990, Tunja, Colombia
- Known as: Nairoman, El Cóndor de los Andes
- Awards: Deportista del Año (2013, 2014)
- Professional Teams: Boyacá es para Vivirla, Café de Colombia–Colombia es Pasión, Movistar Team, Arkéa–Samsic
- Career Highlights: Winner of the 2014 Giro d'Italia and 2016 Vuelta a España
- Family: Son of Luis Quintana and Eloisa Rojas
Questions readers ask
What is Nairo Quintana's professional background?
He is a retired Colombian racing cyclist known for his climbing ability and his tenure with the Movistar Team.
What are his notable race achievements?
He won the 2014 Giro d'Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España, and placed second in the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015.
