Nairo Quintana underwent surgery on both knees and is on the road to recovery for the 2021 season.

The Colombian's 2020 campaign, his first with Arcère Samsic in the French second division, got off to a brilliant start, but his biggest goal, the Tour de France, was derailed by two knee injuries.

First, before traveling to Europe prior to the Tour, he was hit by a driver in Colombia and injured his right knee. Then, during the race, he injured his left knee in a crash on stage 13.

Quintana finished the Tour, but has not raced since, ending his season. He initially suggested a fractured kneecap, but before undergoing surgery in Lyon, France, on Wednesday, he explained that both injuries involved cartilage below the knee.

"We did some physical therapy, but in the end we had to do a small surgical operation on both knees because the cartilage is damaged in places," Quintana said in a video message.

"It was better to do a small surgery to make the recovery faster and safer.

The former Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España winner also indicated that he would not be out for long, perhaps in response to Colombian reports quoting a doctor as saying that cartilage damage takes months to fully heal.

"After a few days off the bike, I will start rehabilitation.

Quintana, whose Tour de France was further aggravated by the doping investigation against him and his team, will return to Colombia next week and spend the winter off-season at home.