Just like one year ago, Carlos Betancur lined-up at the Tour de San Luis in not exactly a perfect shape, but willing to slowly fine-tone his disposition before meeting his season's major objectives in Europe. His performance in a first mountain stage of the Argentinian event proved that it is indeed too early for the 25-year old Colombian to threat serious general classification contenders, but nonetheless he emphasized that when it comes to next several months, he dreams big.

“I trained well when I was in Colombia but it’s hard to think about getting a big result here. Above all, I’m here to get a bit of race rhythm and get some kilometres in my legs,” Betancur said, according to Cyclingnews. “But I think I’m going well. I’m very happy to start this 2015 and I think that some beautiful things are going to happen.”

One of the most enigmatic figures of the 2014 season courtesy of his almost permanent disappearing somewhere in Colombian Andes, Betancur remained reluctant to reflect on factual reasons of that situation.

“You know, when there’s a problem, everybody has his own solution,” Betancur said. “They thought they were right, I thought I was right. In the end we had a discussion and we decided on the best course of action for both of us.”

Even though his Ag2r-La Mondiale squad eventually decided to give the 25-year old puncheur another chance and hoped take bigger control over his actions, apparently Betancur once again turned out to be less cooperative than they expected.

“Yes, yes, but you know what can I say? The team and I are looking to communicate well and look to do the best we can for everyone,” Betancur said.

By which he meant he wouldn't move with his family to France, as Ag2r La Mondiale manager Vincent Lavenu initially suggested, but again will stay in Italy and train under the wings of Michele Bertoli until after the Giro d'Italia – his biggest objective for 2015.

“Then after that, I’ll be staying in Europe until after the Giro d’Italia,” he added.

Speaking about the Giro, the 25-year old Colombian aims to improve on his 5th spot claimed in the Italian grand tour two years ago.

“When you start off the year, you always want to do better than you’ve done before and it’s the same for the Giro. I want to do better,” he said. “If not, then I’m sorry, but I’m setting out with the intention to do better than I did two years ago.”

Typically reluctant to compare himself with his fellow countrymen Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Uran, Betancur modestly emphasized that he is yet to confirm his real potential. All the same, however, the 25-year old Paris-Nice winner hinted that he doesn't exactly recognize a superiority of his more decorated compatriots.

“Up to now I haven’t shown anything,” he said. “When I show something, only then can I say that I’m better than the others.”