I was surprised to see that Movistar excluded Quintana from the Vuelta a España roster. Considering this is his final professional season, it feels like a missed opportunity for a farewell. He has such a massive legacy, having won the 2016 Vuelta and the 2014 Giro, not to mention those second-place finishes at the Tour in 2013 and 2015.
From a tactical perspective, teams always have to balance results priorities against the emotional side of the sport. However, the grit required in stage racing remains unchanged from the classic eras, and there is something special about seeing a legend take one last crack at a Grand Tour they've previously conquered.
Do you think teams should prioritize sentiment and give a legendary rider a farewell start even if it means sacrificing a competitive spot? Also, does a rider's historical impact on the sport outweigh the need for a roster optimized purely for current results?