Quintana presented with award by King of Spain
Nairo Quintana has been honoured by the Spanish state for his contribution to sport, receiving an award from King Felipe VI on Tuesday. The Colombian was at a ceremony at Madrid’s royal palace to receive the Trofeo Comunidad Iberoamericana, or Latin American Community Trophy, under the national sporting awards for 2014.
The award goes to ‘the Latin American sportsperson who has distinguished themselves most during the year, through their international sporting actions’, with special weighting to athletes or coaches operating in Spanish teams and set-ups. Quintana, who rides for the Spanish Moivstar team, won his first Grand Tour in 2014 at the Giro d’Italia, along with overall success at the Tour de San Luis and the Vuelta a Burgos.
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“I was proud to be able to share the occasion with such great sportspeople, and shake the hand of the King, whom I’d never had the privilege of talking to before,” said Quintana, who is now heading back to Colombia for the winter. “I’m heading back to Colombia very satisfied with what I’ve done this year, and that the path we’re on has been recognised. Now it’s time to rest for a few days and start the preparation for 2016, which will be a year of big challenges.”
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Vegard Breen drops down to Pro Conti with Fortuneo
Vegard Breen will drop down to Pro Continental level next year after two seasons in the WorldTour with Lotto Soudal. The Norwegian rider impressed as a youngster with Team Joker, earning himself a move to Lotto, but he was unable to secure a contract extension for 2016 and has signed for Fortuneo-Vital Concept, the French team formerly known as Bretagne-Seché Environnement.
"I am relieved now after the prospect of being without an employer in a month's time, Breen told Romerikes Blad. "There will be no big changes for me personally. I go down a little financially, there will be a one-year contract, and I get the chance to show myself, which I must take."
Breen has earned experience at Lotto Soudal, riding a debut Grand Tour at the Vuelta in 2014, but failed to make an impact this year, ending the campaign with a meagre 35 race days under his belt. Fortuneo-Vital Concept boss Emmanuel Hubert hopes his team will provide a good environment to capitalise on the promise he showed a few years ago.
"Vegard is coming to us to rediscover the taste for victory," he said. "He was a winner in the juniors, and he is going to rediscover a certain freedom with us. He is an imposing rouleur who can express himself in the Flanders Classics. He will also be a key domestique for the bigger stage races."
Breen's signing means that the team's 2016 roster has been finalised. He is the seventh acquisition of the year after Steven Tronet, Francis Mourey, Julien Loubet, Franck Bonnamour, Boris Vallée, and Chris-Anker Sorensen.
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