Nairo Quintana sees no problem teaming up with Warren Barguil, the Colombian who moved from Movistar to Arkea Samsic.

Quintana, 29, left Movistar to find a new challenge, ending the Grand Tour leadership battle between him, Mikel Landa, and Alejandro Valverde. However, in Arkea-Samsic, he finished second to Barguil in this year's Tour de France. This fact, coupled with Barguil's reputation as a Grand Tour leader, raises questions about the relationship between the Frenchman and the team's new GC rider.

However, according to Quintana, who has won two Grand Tours and finished fourth in the 2019 Vuelta a España, the two can find the right combination to bring success to the team.

"Warren is a very expressive guy," Quintana told Le Telegramme.

"I am convinced that my addition to the team will allow us to share responsibilities and bring a bit of calmness to him. I'm confident that things will work out between us."

"I'm very happy to be a part of the team.

Quintana's move to Arcare raised eyebrows because, despite a lack of recent Grand Tour wins, he had established himself as one of the world's best stage racers during his Movistar days, winning the Giro d'Italia in 2014 and the 2016 title at the Vuelta a España. In recent years, however, his GC contention in the Tour de France has been overshadowed, and although he won a stage at the Tour for the second year in a row, he believes a change in environment was essential.

"Some people understand my choice, others don't. It's a shame.

"I came here with joy, a smile and motivation. Yvon Rudnova is one of my former sports directors. Yvon Rudanova is one of my former sports directors. He contacted me in the spring and introduced me to Emmanuel Hubert. He convinced me to join his team. The way he introduced me brought me a lot of peace."

At Movistar, Quintana said, "I wasn't particularly unhappy, but I wasn't very happy either."

"This happens in life. At some point, you have to open your eyes and look ahead. That's why I left Movistar, where I spent eight years. I was looking for a new challenge. I have a lot of desires."

Next season, Quintana will focus his entire campaign on the Tour de France, aiming to become the second Colombian to win the race after Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), who won in 2019.

"The Tour de France will be my main goal. I will aim for the podium. I know I have the ability. I still have a good team around me, so I will try again to win. I think it is possible."

"Apart from the Tour, I want to shine in all the races in France. Next season there will be more races in France. After the Tour de France, I want to aim for the Olympics. I would be proud to represent my country in Tokyo."

Quintana will also target Paris-Nice in the spring, and his first race in his new colors will be the Colombian championships later in the year.