Quintana (Movistar) was frustrated after crashing on an otherwise uneventful Stage 18 into Pau.
The Stage 17 winner fell back to earth after his triumph atop the Col du Portet, suffering a number of injuries before remounting and continuing the race.
The Colombian, fell on his left-hand side and sustained blows and bruises to his elbow, shoulder and ankle, as well as to his right thumb. He was bandaged by the race doctors and changed his race wear before being towed back to the peloton by his teammates.
“It’s awful to have suffered this crash," said Quintana, "one way or another, I always seem to be a bit fucked up. I’ve got some blows over my ankle, my shoulder and also a thumb I had already hurt on Wednesday."
"The race doctors put some bandages on my bruises, but before I don’t get them cleaned, I have shower and visit our team doctors, I won’t be able to ensure it’s all minor. I just hope to recover well, do some good work to heal this thumb with the team physios and try and do the best possible race tomorrow.”
Sports director Eusebio Unzue explained that Quintana's thumb would be the major issue for the Colombian star for the rest of the Tour.
“Nairo has some blows and bruises over the left side of his body and, more importantly, a harder impact on his right thumb, which didn’t allow him changing gears comfortably," said Unzue. "We’re pending an early checkup from our team doctors, but all in all, we don’t think it should be a great problem."
Quintana is set to start Stage 19 in fifth position overall, three minutes and thirty seconds behind the Tour leader Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).
