Nairo Quintana, who is currently serving a ban for doping, will return to cycling with his former team Movistar next season, the Spanish outfit announced on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Colombian, who spent three years at Team Arkea Samsic prior to his suspension, will return to the team where he shone between 2012 and 2019, winning the 2014 Giro d'Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a Espana.

Nairo Quintana Is Coming Home To Movistar

"Nairo Quintana is coming home", wrote Movistar on X, describing him in a press release as "the man who changed the history of his sport in Colombia".

Quintana finished sixth in the 2022 Tour de France but was subsequently disqualified after traces of tramadol, a painkiller banned by medical regulations, were found in his blood.

While the Colombian media had announced that he was going to retire, Quintana stated his desire in January to continue his career with a new team.

"It's super emotional for me to be back home," the 1.67 metre climber said in the team statement.

"It's been such a tough year. The sleepless nights, so many days of sacrifice, going on my bike and trying to keep pushing, under the rain or the scorching sun.

"But it was all worth it. I won't waste this opportunity. I know the values of the team, the values of sport. I will give my everything to do things right, and I want to help the team achieve the best results."