Gianni Savio said he is paying the price for cycling's past mistakes as he continues his search for a team for 2023 after Nairo Quintana was fired by Arkea Samsic.

The veteran team manager moved his operation, formerly known as Androni Giocattoli, to Colombia this year and recently unveiled a new identity at the continental level with Shimano-Cidamec and a new-look team in GW. [Riders such as José Serpa, José Lujano, Egan Bernal, and Iván Sosa have been working with his team for many years.

Savio was interviewed by the Colombian newspaper La Opinión (opens in new tab) about his alleged ties to Quintana, the Colombian star who was stripped of his 2022 Tour de France results after testing positive for tramadol, and a doctor arrested in a doping investigation, He discussed the plight of Miguel Angel Lopez, who was fired by Astana.

"Nairo is unlucky to be in this difficult situation," he said of Quintana, who was sanctioned strictly under medical rules, not anti-doping rules.

"He could have raced and never been disqualified. But unfortunately today's cycling is paying the price for past mistakes.

"In Lopez's case, it is difficult to pass judgment," he said of the former Giro d'Italia podium finisher who has moved to the Colombian team Medellín-EPM.

"Those who know the situation know what happened. It's a strange moment for him, but you have to appreciate that he is racing for the Colombian team."

"I think it's a very good moment for him.

Savio hopes to bring a new generation of Colombian riders to the team, which has four teenage riders and eight riders under the age of 23.

One promising rider is 18-year-old Jonathan Guatibonza, who recently won the Venezuelan stage race, Vuelta al Tachira stage 3, from a group sprint.

"He's not 19 yet, but he could be the next Egan Bernal. He's a rider we're going to have to pay a lot of attention to," said Savio, who went on to talk about Bernal and his recovery from a serious injury.

"I really hope he becomes the rider he will be in 2019. Colombia is a country that fascinates me and I know that cycling is the national sport, so I think that in 2023 Sergio Iguita, Rigoberto Urán, Dani Martínez and Bernal will be the protagonists."

Many of Savio's top riders, given the financial difficulties of their former sponsor, Dronehopper, Natnael Tesfazion and Eduardo Sepulveda, followed by Andrea Piccolo and Jefferson Cepeda of EF Education-Easy Post, went elsewhere over the winter They were transferred to. [Italians Gabriele Benedetti and Alessandro Bisorti and Norwegian Trim Holter make up the new foreign contingent.

During a team presentation at a Medellín hotel, Savio spoke of the anguish of having to start over, but also spoke positively about new projects with Colombian bike brand GW and longtime partner Italian steel company Sidermec.

"They've completely displaced us," he said. Marco Bellini and I were able to finish last season after serious damage caused by unpaid drone hoppers."

"Thanks to my personal bond with Colombia, which has given me great satisfaction in the past, I am able to restart with a team I am particularly happy with.

"The team is based on the "youth project" that was so successful in the Vuelta al Taquira. "By virtue of the stage victory of 18-year-old Jonatan Guatibonza, the youngest winner in the history of the Andes Vuelta. "

Many sponsors have pledged their allegiance to Savio's new venture, including GW, Shimano, Sidermec, as well as Androni Giocattoli, Tre Colli, Selle Italia, OMZ and Work Service.

The team plans to race in both South America and Italy this season, with races scheduled in the spring including Trofeo Laigueglia, Settimana Coppi e Bartali, and Tour of the Alps.