The biggest pre-race favorite, Nairo Quintana, was expected to hit the first mountain stages of 2014 edition of the Giro d’Italia firing from all cylinders, but the 24-year old Colombian was only able to follow wheels of other GC contenders as he suffered from injury sustained in the mass-crash last Thursday. Since a present shape of overall standings suggests that today’s individual trial will be even more crucial than it was initially expected, Movistar leader confessed to be worried about his current condition.

The Giro d’Italia general classification took its first shapes following first weekend spent in the mountains as much as the dramatic finale of the Montecassino stage last Thursday, but a long individual time trial will present the first real test for the leaders. As a highly anticipated battle between Quintana and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) never turned into reality, other riders in likes of Cadel Evans (BMC), Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) or usually underestimated Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2R La Mondiale) came to the fore, making today’s test against the clock even more crucial.

In such circumstances there is no room rider for any further time loss from a Movistar leader, and even though he can ride against the clock fairly well compared to most of his fellow countrymen, the 24-year old Colombian needs to be on a good day to control the damage.

Aware of the situation, Quintana hoped to properly recover from his painful injury on a second rest day on Monday and save some energy before the Barbaresco-Barolo time trial, but according to Spanish media a day off didn’t improve his sensations and yesterday’s longest stage played in a truly furious pace certainly didn’t help the Tour de France runner-up.

Movistar leader also revealed that injury sustained in the crash is not his only problem, as the 24-year old Colombian is continuously worried about his condition, still unsatisfied with his sensations on a bike.

“I still do not feel quite right. The idea was that I would recover [during a rest day], but I haven't noticed significant improvement,” Quintana told Biciciclismo.

“Tomorrow a big test is coming and we have to wait and see how I get on.”