This season’s edition of the Giro d’Italia was without any doubts a demonstration of Colombian dominancie, and debuting in a three-week event Julian Arredondo certainly had a huge contribution to this success. The 25-year old Trek Factory Racing rider not only won a stage, but also the mountains classification and encouraged by such a promising showing he aims to feature in his career’s second grand tour race this year, the Vuelta a Espana in August.

"There were many incredible moments, the love of the people, of the Colombians, and the triumph with that stage that I won," he told Vanguardia.com, "I fought and fought for many days and those sacrifices were rewarded, because the day that I won the stage, it was unforgettable."

"On the stage of the Stelvio, I suffered a lot with the cold. I warned of inclement weather and that if there was snow, we had to change clothes. I changed when going over to the Stelvio and going down the descent I was one of the last riders.

"When I got off the bike, I could not speak, I could not close my hands. I was frozen. The team put me in the car, put on the heating, sheltered me and gave me tea. After that, I was able to react and I was left with two teammates so that I would return to the gruppeto to finish within one minute of the time limit."

While it is yet to be decided whether the Colombian climber would make the selection for season’s third three-week event and reportedly the issue will be discussed by Arredondo with Trek Factory Racing management, for now he is expected to race in North America in the coming months, featuring in the Tour of Utah, Tour of Colorado and Tour of Alberta.

Still, the 25-year old Colombian believes that his participation in the Vuelta is possible, and sets a Spanish grand tour his biggest objective foe the second part of the 2014 season, alongside the World Championships, held this year in the same country.

"I would very much like to animate some of the stages at the Vuelta a España with the plan to take part in the world championships. It's something that I am discussing with the team and sport directors. If I go there feeling strong, I intent to complete it."