After being one of the revelations of 2014, Colombian Julian Arredondo faced his second campaign with Trek Factory Racing with the difficult task of matching the impressive results of the previous year.

However, luck and health left him. He was far from his past level and just gave glimpses of his ability. In an interview with Ciclismo Internacional, the punchy climber reflected on his season.

"This year I expected better results and prepared well for a great season, but unfortunately I had many health problems due to the position on the bike,” he told the website. "The worst thing is that I was not able to deliver my best performance before we had solved the problems and only now, after a lot of work, it seems that we have found a solution.”

For the first time, Arredondo publicly discussed the details of his ailments. "For a year, I have not felt comfortable on the bike, because with the passing of time, I had some problems. Initially I thought it was the bike, position, shoes ... and despite the changes there was still a difference in the strength of my legs," he said.

"At a meeting, someone from the team mentioned that something similar had happened to an acquaintance and he found the source of the problem in the cervical part. After having tried everything, I had not tested this possibility and traveled to Milan to meet a specialist who said I had a contracture of the paracervical muscles and temporomandibular joint,” he said.

"I did several tests and finally they gave me a kind of plate to handle the bruxism. I've been using it for a few weeks and I feel better, but I'll be very honest: I do not know with absolute certainty whether this is the final solution, only time will prove whether we are right. The racing always started well and after two days I was twisted and weak,” he concluded his story.

Nevertheless, Arredondo is very optimistic and does not consider 2015 as a failed year. "As I mentioned earlier, it was a year with many problems, but I always look on the bright side. I had to solve many things that, if they had not happened this year, they would probably have taken their toll later,” he said.

"I learned a lot, I grew as a person, as a rider. I have more experience and so I cannot feel disappointed. I realized that I can count on a team that has been of great support in hard times,” he said.

In fact, the tiny climber has increased confidence and sees himself as belonging to the World Tour. "I feel comfortable in this category, because I have worked for many years to get to this point,” he said and then talked about his experiences: "They were two different seasons. I had wins in the first while the second was difficult.”

And in the midst of so many tribulations, he has no doubt about when he had his highlight. "My best was at the start of the Tour of Switzerland," he recalled before underlining his ambitious challenges for 2016. "Although I have no definite schedule, I would like a return to the Tour de France. But my main goal is to solve all the problems that emerged during this year in order to feel comfortable and quiet on the bike again.”

T importance of the Grande Boucle is well-known so it is no wonder that the talented climber wants to make up for the 2015 disappointments. "Riding Tour de France was a dream and I could realize it even though I only had a good feeling in the beginning. I managed to finish despite my many problems. I would like to repeat it in a better condition.”

After attracting everyone's attention last year, Trek did not hesitate to extend the initial contract so that Arredondo will stay with the team in 2016. However, it is never easy to compete knowing that the relationship has an expiration date. "There will be pressure, but more that from my contract it comes from myself, because I like to be ahead and make war in the races," he said.

Arredondo confirmed where he will start his 2016 season. "I will not be in the Tour de San Luis (where he debuted with two wins and a 4th overall in 2014, ed.). I will start at the Tour Down Under in Australia. The national championships? We'll see what comes next.”

Arredondo also briefly touched the sensitive issue of Team Colombia and its demise . "It's a shame that this happens and even more for a national team representing the country to the world, but I think it was not in good hands from the start.”