"It's a real pity, his loss isn't just bad for Colombia, it's bad for the Vuelta. He's a major figure in the peloton," Betancur said.
"I wish him all the best to get over his illness and I'm sure he'll be up there in the Worlds" — as indeed Urán was in 2013, when he formed part of the leading break at Firenze until he crashed on a descent on the final lap.
Urán's abandon in the Vuelta after going down with bronchitis leaves Winner Anacona (Lampre), the stage winner to Valdelinares, as Colombia's best-placed gc option — he is currently 19th overall. Coupled with the loss of Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Urán's exit means, therefore, it has been a tough race for the South American nation, with Anacona's win as one of the few high spots.
Betancur, meanwhile, may be second last overall, but is still gunning for his chances in the World Championships.
After describing stage 17 as "tough and very hilly, with more than 1,000 metres of climbing, and with a lot of fast racing in the finale," Betancur said his own goals were "to finish the Vuelta as best we can."
"I'm slowly getting better, and then we'll see what the end of the season brings," he concluded - starting, hopefully, at Ponferrada two weeks on Sunday.
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Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express and Reuters.
