Nairo Quintana (Movistar) is back in the overall battle at the Vuelta a España.

Quintana, who joined the lead group that formed in the opening kilometers and withstood the wind and rain of stage 17, the longest stage of the Vuelta, moved into second place overall, 5:19 ahead of his rivals.

The 2016 Vuelta champion now trails race leader Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma) by 2:24.

Quintana caught a cold while waiting for a ski lift after stage 9 in Andorra and was on the back foot throughout the second week, but has suddenly re-emerged as Roglic's most dangerous rival.

Moments after crossing the finish line in Guadalajara, surrounded by a microphone and a swarm of TV cameras, Quintana said: "It was about weakening the leader and getting in front. We are now fighting for the Mayo Rojo."

"Sure, I was in bad shape and suffered a lot. When my legs get tired, I pedal with my heart."

Quintana stressed that for an out-and-out climber like himself, taking a day break like Wednesday was an extraordinary accomplishment. He always said, "I always said I would give it my all until the end.

Teammate Alejandro Valverde finished 5:29 behind stage winner Philippe Gilbert (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and 5:19 behind Quintana, dropping to third place overall.

"Did I turn the race upside down on a day like this? Valverde said, repeating the journalist's question. 'It was a good day. Nairo is in the middle of the GC battle. Tactically, it's great."

Movistar sent Jose Joaquin Rojas, Imanol Elviti, and Nelson Oliveira up front with Quintana and allied with Detunink Quickstep and Team Sunweb.

"Jumbo Visma tried to close the gap, but couldn't," Valverde said. Valverde said. At one point [with around 50 km to go] I accelerated from behind to blow their rider away, but Astana was very strong. Without Astana, Roglic would have lost the overall lead."

Valverde also argued that after such a brutally difficult stage, the GC battle would be more open. Valverde said, "The damage will be felt in the coming stages, especially for those who worked hard.

But for Movistar, arguably the biggest beneficiary was Quintana, who was back in the red contention.