Nairo Quintana's emotional gesture: official statement on the earthquake and the children affected

Movistar has confirmed the list of eight riders who will compete in the 2026 Vuelta a España, with only one Colombian, Nairo Quintana, still in contention for a spot. The official announcement is expected within the coming hours. Quintana, who is set to retire after this year’s race, remains the sole hope for Colombia’s representation in the team’s lineup. The Movistar Team has already finalized seven of its eight riders for the Vuelta a España 2026. These include Raúl García Pierna, Pablo Castrillo, Iván Romeo, Enric Mas, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Jorge Arcas, and Carlos Canal. The eighth position remains open, and the decision is expected to be made by the end of the week. According to internal sources consulted by AS, the final selection will follow a similar process to that used in the Tour de France, with the last slot likely to be decided shortly. Quintana, who won the Vuelta a España in 2016, has expressed his desire to conclude his career with a strong performance in the race. His ambition aligns with the team's considerations, though confirmation is pending. He has had a solid season, including a strong showing in the Vuelta a Burgos and victory in the Vuelta a Asturias earlier this year. His experience and track record make him a key asset for the team, especially given the significance of the race for his retirement. Two Colombian riders have been ruled out of the 2026 Vuelta a España. Diego Pescador and Einer Rubio are no longer part of Movistar’s plans. Pescador is considered too young for such a high-level competition, while Rubio is recovering from a severe fall during the 2026 Tour de France. Both were previously hopeful candidates for the race, but their exclusion leaves Quintana as the only remaining option for Colombia. The Vuelta a España, which begins on August 22 in Monaco and concludes on September 13 in Granada, is one of cycling’s most prestigious races. It attracts top-tier teams and athletes from around the world. For Movistar, the selection of riders reflects a balance between experience and potential, with Quintana serving as both a veteran and a symbol of the team’s legacy in Colombian cycling. Other Colombian cyclists remain under consideration for the Vuelta a España 2026. Among them are Iván Ramiro Sosa, who was officially announced as part of the Kern Pharma squad, and several others affiliated with different teams, including Daniel Felipe Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe), Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Brandon Rivera (Netcompany Ineos), Harold Tejada (XDS Astana), and Juan Guillermo Martínez (Picnic PostNL). Their inclusion in the race depends on further announcements from their respective teams. The Vuelta a España is set to take place amid ongoing discussions about safety and athlete welfare following recent incidents in professional cycling. A tragic accident during the Vuelta a Portugal saw a 19-year-old cyclist lose his life, prompting renewed calls for improved safety measures in the sport. While these developments have not directly impacted the current preparations for the 2026 Vuelta a España, they underscore the broader challenges facing professional cycling today.