Nairo Quintana is racing the UCI Road World Championships for Colombia, his first competition since the UCI leveled allegations of tramadol use during the Tour de France in July.
The 32-year-old skipped the Vuelta a Espana to prepare a legal case against the charges, which he denies.
What happened?
Quintana's team, Arkea-Samsic, has been impacted by his disqualification from the Tour de France, with his UCI points removed from the team's tally.
This has put the team's WorldTour license for 2023 at risk, with the team now ranked 16th.
Quintana will lead a strong Colombian team in Wollongong, including Harold Tejada, Juan Sebastian Molano, and Sergio Higuita.
Why it matters for Nairo Quintana
The UCI Road World Championships are a crucial event for Quintana, who is looking to regain his form and reputation after the tramadol dispute.
Quintana has denied using tramadol at any point in his racing career, and is waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to review his appeal.
What comes next?
The outcome of the CAS case will have a significant impact on Quintana's career and his team's future.
As of now, there are no other races on Quintana's schedule, and he will focus on the UCI Road World Championships.
Quintana's preparation for the event has been going well, with the Colombian saying "the bikes are prepared, and the luggage is packed to travel to the worlds".
The Colombian team is looking strong, with Quintana confident that they can make a good race.
The UCI Road World Championships will take place in Wollongong, Australia, with the Colombian team looking to make a strong impression.
Quintana's experience and skill will be crucial in the event, as he looks to lead his team to success.
The event will be closely watched, with fans and teams eager to see how Quintana performs after the tramadol dispute.