Nairo Quintana revealed his true potential as a stage race rider when he finished 2nd in his maiden Tour de France. Still undecided about his schedule for 2014, the Colombian considers doing two grand tours in the coming season.

Expectations were high for Nairo Quintana when the tiny Colombian lined up for the 2013 Tour de France, his debut in the world's biggest race. However, few would have expected the Movistar rider to emerge as the biggest challenger to Chris Froome but Quintana exceeded all expectations when he finished 2nd and won both the polka-dot and white jerseys.

The result was the best in a fantastic season that also included a stage win in the Volta a Catalunya and an overall victory and a stage win in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. He kept his Tour de France form for a few more week to also win the queen stage to Lagunas De Neila in the Vuelta a Burgos, taking the overall victory in the process.

Shortly after the Tour de France, Quintana made it clear that he wanted to go back to win the French grand tour in 2014. He questioned those plans at the presentation of the Giro d'Italia where he stated his desire to do the Italian grand tour.

Asked by Biciciclismo about his schedule for 2014, the Colombian reveals that he hasn't made up his mind yet but that two three-week races may be on the cards.

"Yes, maybe two," he said. "We must wait for the courses to be unveiled.I like the Giro and wanted to do it this year. But the Tour is the Tour and I hope to do the Tour and that the course suits me. To do two grand tours would be difficult. Maybe the Giro and Vuelta."

2013 was a fantastic year for Quintana but things will change for the coming season. In 2014, he will no longer be the underdog but a firm favourite whenever he pins on a number for a hilly race.

Despite the difficulty of repeating this year's performances, Quintana hopes to take another step forward.

"The hard part is to keep my level but I will work hard to do at least as well as I did this year," he said. "To do better will be difficult by not impossible. The goal is a podium in a grand tour. Moreover, I have to continue my work to improve in the time trial."

After the Burgos win, Quintana travelled back to Colombia before returning to Europe for the Tour of Britain and his major goal at the world championships. He had great expectations for himself on the hilly course in Florence but was dropped early in the race.

Quintana admits to be disappointed by the result.

"I rested and trained well in Colombia," he said. "In Britain I had a good feeling even though it was a race that I didn't favour me. Only a puncture on the last day kept me out of the top 10. I felt fine for the Worlds and expected to be there in the finale. I don't understand what happened, I was blocked. From one moment to another I was dead and had to let the peloton go. "

"The idea was to play the finale with Rigoberto [Uran], Carlos [Betancur] and me. We were excited because we knew Rigo could take a medal for Colombia and his crash left us quite sad."

Quintana will stay in Europe for a Movistar team camp before travelling back to Colombia for his winter break.