• Nairo Quintana leaves his Arkea-Samsic team after failing a drugs test.
• The Colombian was eliminated from this year’s Tour de France.
• Tramadol is an opiate pain reliever not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list.

Nairo Quintana, a former Giro d’Italia and Vuelta champion, said on Saturday that he is leaving his Arkea-Samsic team.

Despite signing a contract extension last month.

Quintana, who has placed third on the Tour de France podium three times, was eliminated from this year’s competition after testing positive for Tramadol, an opiate pain reliever that is prohibited by the International Cycling Union (UCI) even though it is not on the WADA’s list of prohibited substances.

In 2024, it will be outlawed by WADA.

Quintana had placed sixth overall at the Tour’s conclusion.

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“I wanted to thank the Arkea-Samsic team for these three years with ups and downs, but to which I was able to contribute my experience and bring back UCI points to be able to access the World Tour as it was agreed when I was hired and I hope that it will succeed,” Quintana said.

“I also wanted to say that I will not be continuing with the Arkea-Samsic team for the next three years as announced on Aug.16.

“I will keep you informed about my future in the next few weeks and prove what an honest rider I am. I have lodged an appeal with CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) and I am continuing to work with my lawyers.

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“I am optimistic because I am an honest person, I have not done anything wrong or illegal and I will defend myself.”

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