Despite claiming his biggest career’s victory at the Paris-Nice this spring, Carlos Betancur mainly attracted attention of cycling media due to being visibly overweight and his mysterious disappearance in the middle of the season. With early exits of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma – Quick Step) the 69th edition of the Vuelta a Espana turned out to be exceptionally unfortunate for Colombians, who have dominated the three-week events in last two seasons. However, the Ag2r-La Mondiale rider believes that the latter will bounce back in the upcoming World Championships.

Sitting second last in the Vuelta general classification, Betancur shared belief that his older compatriot will be ready to lead Colombia in World Championships road race, as he always used to perform well in the national outfit.

"It's a real pity, his loss isn't just bad for Colombia, it's bad for the Vuelta. He's a major figure in the peloton," Betancur said.

"I wish him all the best to get over his illness and I'm sure he'll be up there in the Worlds" — as indeed Urán was in 2013, when he formed part of the leading break at Firenze until he crashed on a descent on the final lap.

With Uran’s and Quintana’s early exits, Winner Anacona remained the best placed Colombian in the Spanish race, sitting 19th in the general classification.

Meanwhile, overcoming obvious lack of condition, the 24-year old Ag2r rider hopes to finish the Vuelta and ride himself into good form for upcoming World Championships. While it sounds almost impossible, Betancur rode the Spanish grand tour in the same manner last year, eventually becoming a key member of Colombian team in the road race held in Florence.

"to finish the Vuelta as best we can," Betancur revealed his ambitions while sitting second last overall.

"I'm slowly getting better, and then we'll see what the end of the season brings," he concluded - starting, hopefully, at Ponferrada two weeks on Sunday.