As a past winner on the Monte Zoncolan, Ivan Basso hoped that the steep mountain would change his fortunes in the Giro d'Italia. However, there was no sudden change of fortunes for the Italian who finished the day in 41st.

In 2010, Ivan Basso laid the foundations for his overall victory in the Giro d'Italia but crushing the opposition on the Monte Zoncolan. Yesterday he returned to the feared mountain but this time he found himself in a completely different situation.

Having been unable to follow the best, Basso headed into the day as 13th in the overall standings but he was still hopeful that he could deliver one final showing on the mountain from which he had good memories. He looked strong when the early attacks went on the penultimate climb on the Sella Razzo but when the going got really tough, he again lost contact.

Basso finished the stage in 41st and was clearly disappointed with the outcome.

“I had to try for the last time on terrain which suited me, the mountains," he said. "The Zoncolan is a climb where you can’t make any mistakes. I rode to my limit today.”