"The team makes it possible to win a stage like this. Without them, without the staff behind there can be no victory."

Those were the words of Astana's Fabio Aru after winning stage 19 at the Giro d'Italia. Aru attacked an elite group of leading riders on the long final climb to Cervinia, and quickly rode away to a solo victory in front of thousands of fans in the high Alps.

Together with teammates Mikel Landa, Tanel Kangert, Paolo Tiralongo, Diego Rosa and Luis Leon Sanchez, Astana Pro Team controlled the high pace of the Queen Stage at the 2015 Giro over three categorized climbs to put Aru at the front in the final five kilometers.

Aru climbed back to second overall in the General Classification ahead of Landa, and continues to lead the Best Young Rider competition with two more days of racing. Astana holds on to the lead in the Best Team classification ahead of Saturday's final mountain stage.

"All I can tell you is that you saw how I went on the Mortirolo, the ordeal I went through in the final 50km," he said. "Well, in the final 7km today I went through much the same. That's what this sport is about. It's a sport based on suffering.

"It's easy to win when you are feeling good, but it's hard to persevere in difficult moments. I've never pretended that my career has been easy, but I've learned to persevere, to suffer, and today I've got this result.

"The final 7km of suffering were the same as the final 40 km on the Mortirolo. All sorts of things go through you head, but I have learned not to let them affect me. That ability has helped me on many days here, when I've pedalled more with my head that with my legs. 
 
"This win has a particular flavour, because it was unexpected after the previous days when I wasn't well. I hung in there. It may seem banal, but I have the quality of never being content with with what I've done so far in a race, and this helped me through.

"I got through the previous days, I'm very happy. I don't lose my head over a stage win. I want to complete this Giro d'Italia, then recover and start preparing for my next objectives.

"If I'm still here, it's because the Giro d'Italia is close to my heart. But this win has a special flavour. Last year at Montecampione it was my first win, so it was unique for me, but this one, after what I've been through, and the last few days I've had, makes me particularly happy.

"I have been very tired. I've slept a lot, I've fallen asleep during massages, and in the evening. And I've slept as much as possible. You get up in the morning feeling shattered, but during the race, you are always thinking that kilometre after kilometre, your feelings are improving."