Rigoberto Uran has arrived in Medellin, hoping to recharge his batteries for the 2015 season. The Colombian rider ended his season at the Tour of Beijing and now wants to relax after a hard first season with Omega Pharma-Quick Step in which he finished second in the Giro d'Italia and abandoned the Vuelta a Espana due to illness.

Rigoberto Uran arrived in his home country of Colombia with a good taste after his ninth place in the Tour of Beijing. Earlier he had to leave the Vuelta due to asthmatic bronchitis at a time when he was riding with the best. Uran was received by his fans in Medellin.

"Thi welcome is very valuebale for me because I didn't really achieve anythig in the second part of the season. But I am a little bit better. Here in Medellin I will work on my recovery every day," he confirmed in a statement published by the Colombian Cycling Federation.

"The balance is okay. I started well in the Vuelta a Espana but then I suffered from a health issue. Now I will rest and then I will travel to Europe in early December to meet with the team. I have no timetable and no plans. For now, I won't ride my bike," he said.

Uran gave his assessment of the route for the Tour de France.

"The coruse is very different. In the Tour you usually have one or two long time trials but in 2014 there is only a very short one (14km). So we have a very different course with very explosives uphill finishes. They have changed a lot," he said.

Uran gave no clue about his possible participation in the French race or the Giro d'Italia and said that he was available to his team.

"The Giro and the Tour are equally important. I'll be ready to go anywhere. I have nothing confirmed. The only thing I know is that I will be going on vacation," he said.

The Colombian finished his ninth professional season in Europe with a second place in the Giro like in 2013, this time behind Nairo Quintana after he had won the time trial in Barolo and done a consistent race. Earlier he was third in the Tour of Oman. After his break, he returned to action in August and fought with the best in the Vuelta until he had no choice but to abandon due to illness. He made his comeback in the Worlds road race where he was 27th, abandoned Il Lombardia and finished 9th in Beijing.