Movistar has confirmed that Nairo Quintana will end his professional career at the Giro dell’Emilia on Saturday, October 3, giving the 36-year-old Colombian a final appearance in the team’s colours after 17 seasons.
Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates XRG), by contrast, is set to make his debut as the new world champion just six days after winning the men’s road race world title in Montréal.
Quintana announced in March that this would be his final season in the pro peloton with the Vuelta a España thought to be his big farewell. However, it is now confirmed that he will say goodbye at a race he won back in 2012, in his first year with the Spanish squad. He went on to win the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and the Vuelta a España in 2016, and finished second at the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015.
“Let’s go for the last dance, Nairo!” Movistar said in its announcement. Roger Adrià, Michel Hessmann, Juan Pedro López, Pelayo Sánchez, Jorge Arcas and Einer Rubio will join him in the team’s seven-rider selection.
The race starts in Ferrara and finishes on the San Luca climb in Bologna. Riders will tackle the ascent five times, with the winner decided at the top of the fifth climb.
McNulty’s first race as world champion
McNulty, 28, won the world title in Montréal on September 27 after making his decisive move with 33km remaining. He finished 13 seconds clear of the chasers led in by Michael Matthews for Australia. He is set to race an Italian Classics programme, allowing plenty of chances for fans to see the rainbow jersey on the shoulders of the unexpected winner.
“I’m really at a loss. Until the last 100 meters, I really didn’t even believe it. I was so tired,” McNulty said at the finish. “I’m really excited to make my debut in the rainbow jersey this Saturday,” McNulty said in his team’s announcement. “The win in Montreal has definitely been something massive for me and I am still coming to terms with it a bit and letting it sink in.”
UAE’s Giro dell’Emilia selection also includes Igor Arrieta, Filippo Baroncini, Felix Großschartner, Jhonatan Narváez, Tim Wellens and Adam Yates.
“I still have a lot of racing left this season and I’m excited for it. We have a strong group for these races, and we’ll be aggressive as always,” McNulty said.
“While I’m honoured to wear the rainbow jersey, it doesn’t change my approach. We’ll continue to race as we always do. Whether that’s attacking or helping my teammates – I know my role pretty well, and we have a great understanding of what works, so we’ll keep it that way.”
McNulty is also scheduled to race the Coppa Agostoni on October 4 and Tre Valli Varesine on October 6, giving him three starts in four days to begin his time in the rainbow jersey.
