Nairo Quintana continues to deny any wrongdoing over the news that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld the UCI's decision to disqualify him from the 2022 Tour de France following a positive test for the painkiller Tramadol.

The CAS verdict was announced Thursday morning, ending Quintana's hopes of a comeback after finishing sixth in this year's Tour. Although a first positive test for tramadol is considered a violation of UCI medical rules, it does not constitute an anti-doping rule violation and Quintana will not be banned.

The UCI announced Quintana's disqualification from the Tour shortly before the Vuelta a España, and Quintana withdrew the day before the race. Quintana had just agreed to a contract extension with Arkea-Samsic, but later parted company with the French team.

In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday, Quintana gave his first public reaction to the binding CAS verdict.

"Unfortunately, it was not a good result for me. But I am proud to say that throughout my sporting career I have been tested for doping more than 300 times." There are many reasons why I didn't dope and why I didn't take that product [tramadol].

Quintana has indicated his intention to appeal the sanction by the UCI since the day it was announced in August, but has yet to publicly outline his defense.

"Unfortunately, this is the result. Unfortunately, this is the result we got, but I will now comment on the case and the whole situation, day by day, and how we have made our defense. I'm also going to talk about why CAS didn't find it reasonable," Quintana said.

"Life goes on and storms must pass. We are still looking ahead. I have a beautiful family. I have a country that supports me and wonderful friends. For that I am grateful.

Quintana also suggested that he would speak more about the matter at the Gran Fondo event in Medellín later this month. He said, "I'm going to talk about everything that has happened throughout my sporting life, what has happened in this process, and the appeal I made to defend my innocence."

The 32-year-old tested positive for tramadol twice during the 2022 Tour, after summit finishes at La Planche des Belles Fils and the Col de Granon. The painkiller is not classified as a performance-enhancing drug but has been banned by the UCI from use in competition beginning in March 2019.

Athletes who test positive for blood droplets during a race will be disqualified, and a second violation will result in a five-month ban; WADA recently announced that tramadol will be a banned drug beginning in 2024.

Quintana's only competitive appearance since the incident began was a 66th place finish at the World Championships in Wollongong, where she wore Colombian colors. Both Astana Kazakstan and AG2R Citroen have denied rumors that Quintana might race next season.