Nairo Quintana still hasn't decided whether he will ride the Giro d'Italia or the Tour de France in 2014. However, the Colombian has no doubts when it comes to his future objectives: he was to win the Tour de France in about three years.

Nairo Quintana confirmed that he has the potential to become one of the best grand tour riders of his generation when he finished 2nd overall, won a big mountain stage and took both the white and polka-dot jerseys in his maiden Tour de France earlier this year. Having realized that he is already able to challenge the best, he now dreams of winning the world's biggest bike race.

Quintana is currently back in Colombian to rest after a hard season that included overall wins in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the Vuelta a Burgos in addition to his exploits in the Tour de France. He will get the chance to take his next big title when the Colombian sportsman of the year is selected but he has also had the time to look at his long-term objectives.

Few doubt that Quintana has the potential to one day win the Tour de France and the main question is when he has matured enough to actually be able to ride into Paris with the yellow jersey. At just 23 years of age, he has plenty of time to take the most coveted price in cycling but he hopes to take the win within just a few years.

"I believe that it is possible in about three years," he told RCN Radio. "I hope that all the stars align, that I am in good shape, that the course suits me and that my team and teammates support me."

Already in 2014, Quintana may get his first shot at Tour glory but his race schedule still hasn't been determined. He is set to share grand tour responsibilities with Alejandro Valverde but it still hasn't been decided who will lead the Movistar team in the Giro and the Tour respectively.

Last week, Biciciclismo reported that team manager Eusebio Unzue has decided that Quintana will lead the team in the Italian grand tour while Valverde will be the captain in France. However, Quintana quickly refused that a definitive decision has been made and in the interview with RTN Radio he repeats that claim.

"We have the Tour and the Giro in mind as they are two major objectives," he said. "We have to decide the race schedule. Eusebio [Unzue] decides whether I do the Giro or the Tour. On January 17, I return to Spain for a training camp in Madrid and then we weill decide the calendar for the coming year."

As a former Tour de l'Avenir winner who already made great results in his first year with Movistar in 2012, Quintana has long been known as a great talent. However, he admits to be surprised by the success he has had in the past year.

"It was even better than I expected," he said. "I knew I was going to do very well because I had a very good preparation but I didn't expect this. I have done valuable things.

"[My secret] is to work hard and be aware of what you want and then fight for it."

Quintana finished his season on a disappointing note as he was unable to make the expected impact in the world championships but he bounced back in Il Lombardia where he helped Valverde take 2nd.