Nairo Quintana saw his position as Movistar team leader come under threat when his teammate Alejandro Valverde won the first mountain stage of the Vuelta a Espana. Having lost ground in the finale, the Colombian admits that he is not in his best condition yet and expects to improve as the race goes on.

Nairo Quintana had luxury support in today's first mountain stage of the Vuelta a Espana as Alejandro Valverde rode hard on the front for his teammate. In the end, however, the domestique was stronger than the captain who was dropped in the finale while Valverde took the stage win.

Quintana has always claimed that he lacks racing speed and today he reiterated that stance.

"I'm extremely happy for Alejandro," he said. "He's a great rider. He did a great work for me in the finale and still was able to win the stage - that's something not many riders can do.

"I'm still lacking some pace, you could see in the final kilometer I'm not still in my top condition, but I hope to keep progressing in the next stages. The important thing for us is to keep the win within the team, no matter if it's him or me, and for the time being, that goal is being fulfilled.

“I felt good but I’ve lacked a bit of a rhythm. Valverde did a great job and in addition to that, he won. I’m happy for him. The most important is that the team wins, whether it’s Alejandro or myself.”