Eduardo Sepulveda said he had nothing to lose as the Fortuneo Vital Concept rider rode away to take victory on the fourth stage of the Tour De San Luis.
The Argentinian told his team's press office: "I lost time against the team time trial and after the fall, Physically and mentally, it freed me. I'd nothing to lose and I would never dare to attack as far away if I had been closer to the leader.
"The last six kilometres, once I joined Dayer (Quintana) were a dream.
"Fortunately I had a tail wind but I knew this before I attacked. The team was great, the guys put me in an ideal place.
"The day before, four of the team fell and I believe that this misfortune has brought us closer still.
"I know we are in January and that Nairo Quintana, Nibali, Majka are in a preparation phase. But this victory validates my work in recent months.
"I had not raced since my fibula fracture in Italy in mid-September, I needed results and I'm going back to Europe with certainty.
"It will not be easy to keep this jersey but we have the means."