His aim is to return to Colombian cycling through the front door. Carlos Julian Quintero wants to be one of the protagonists of the major races on the national calendar in 2016. He is sure that the experience gained during his time with Team Colombia is the best thing that has happened so far in his career as a cyclist.

"We are many riders who returned to Colombia for various reasons. This means that the races will be more more European and the battle will be strong in races like the Vuelta a Colombia and Clasico RCN,” Quintero told Revistamundociclistico.com.

The 29-year-old is optimistic and sure that he will be one of the leaders of the national races in 2016. Quintero is likely to be riding for Codeportes-Claro as he heads back to his home country after four years at Team Colombia.

"I finished the season at the Abu Dhabi Tour and returned to Colombia,” he said. “I spent a few days away from the cycling world, trying to disconnect and rest. I have resumed training with a little bike riding and gym work with a view to the 2016 season.

"I have talked to some teams. In Colombia I have something organized and something very advanced and I am also expecting response from teams in Europe. My Colombian team gave me a good choice as I can go to Europe if I get the opportunity.

"As many people know, there have been rumors about my team. I think that the news will be revealed in a few days. There is no problem with saying the name, it is Coldeportes-Claro. I will be with them in the new season.

"I am going step by step. At the moment I've started the physical preparation, trying to start earlier and calmly do good kilometers. Colombian cycling is changing and we see that riders are not beginning in January at the Vuelta al Valle like we did 10 years ago. Now we begin in November like the European style. Coldeportes-Claro wants to be a Continental team and hopefully we will succeed and will be contesting the races that count towards the UCI America Tour. The Colombian teams are loaded with European riders like José Serpa so the battle will be strong in the Tour of Colombia and the Clasico RCN.”   

With the demise, Quintero’s time at Team Colombia has come to an end.

"It was a very positive experience,” he said. “I think we had a very productive year in European cycling. I personally had very good performances. This past year it was important to have consistency and show myself in different races. I think I gained a lot of experience. They were four unforgettable seasons with Team Colombia.

"Unfortunately, the demise of Team Colombia affected not only us but all the riders, Colombian cycling and all our supporters. It was a launching pad for the Team Colombia project. Unfortunately, we only have a few days to find a team for 2016. We are trying to solve some problems and we hope that between now and December 31 everything goes well and that we can work things out.

"With the demise of Team Colombia, Colombian cycling has been pushed back a few years. No one talk about individual rider like Rigoberto Uran and Nairo Quintana but Colombian cycling stepped back because as we all know, it was a project that many people wanted in Europe. Here in Colombia there was much controversy and many people did not want the team. Those who did not support it achieved their goal to close the team, the supporters are sad and we riders are trying to continue in our sport.

"I talk a lot with Alex Cano with whom I shared an apartment in Europe. I think everyone is with their families, trying to organize things for 2016. The truth is that we had very little time to talk.

"This year Tirreno-Adriatico was m highlight. The mountains jersey gives me good memories, being on the podium in a WorldTour race was very special, especially if you consider that I was very close to Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran. It was a great experience. I can also not forget what has been done in the Vuelta a Espana. That was a great race for me and during the whole season I had outstanding performances in other races in Italy, but what stands out for me was Tirreno-Adriatico. I had an excellent consistency during the season.

"The question of results is not only a physical matter, it also requires much luck. I do not forget Rodolfo Torres’ second place in a stage of the Vuelta and many races where we were in contention, like in Luxembourg and others where we were in the top 5. But only the win matters, to be third, fourth or fifth does not count. But the job was done right. It is not always the one who prepares for the Tour de France that wins. "

Colombia has had trouble paying the wages.

"We have been paid for one month,” Quintero said. “We still need more months. I think we will try to solve everything these days, according to what I have heard from Dr. Andres Botero [leader of Coldeportes].”