Nairo Quintana is still not completely recovered from his two crashes in the Vuelta a Espana. However, the Colombian is more frustrated that he missed out on the chance to win the Spanish grand tour as he feels that he could have beaten eventual winner Alberto Contador.

Despite not receiving any personal awards, Nairo Quintana was one of the great stars of the UCI WorldTour awards ceremony which took place yesterday in Madrid. The Colombian took a few minutes to speak to Ciclismo a Fondo where he explained how his recovery from his two crashes at the Vuelta a Espana is progressing.

"I still suffer discomfort in the arm. I have a small fracture but it is nearly healed," he said.

These two unfortunate incidents deprived Quintana the chance to fight for the overall win against Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. In fact, he believes that he could have come out on top.

"I don't think I would have been far away. I was in great condition and I crashed while I led the race. For me, the Vuelta a Espana was about to start so I don't think I would have been far away from the victory."

The small health issues which won't be important in the future, have not prevented Quintana from staring his preparation for next year.

"I started to ride my mountain bike a few days ago. I'm starting very quietly as the main aim for next season is still far away."

And that goal is the Tour de France to which he will return after the tremendous success of 2013 when he finished second and was both the best climber and the best young rider.

"The Tour is my great objective . This week I'll talk to Eusebio (Unzúe) to try to create a schedule that allows me to get there in the best condition."

Quintana is not concerned by the distribution of roles even though he has to share the leadership with Alejandro Valverde in some of the biggest races like the Tour and the Vuelta.

"We will handle it like we did in the Vuelta a Espana. We'll both be there and the director will decide who will be the leader and who will ride in support of the other."

One of the news that Quintana has received with pleasure, is the signing of another Colombian, Winner Anacona.

"It's great to have another compatriot in the team. We've met each other and I think we will work very well together. He may be with me in the races where I want to achieve good results."