A super Manuel Bongiorno was close to the win, taking 2nd in stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia from Melide (Switzerland) to Verbania.

The Bardiani climber was in the decisive breakaway of 12 riders and on the tough climb of Monte Ologno with summit 35.5km to go, he split the break with strong attacks.

However the victory was takenby the former road world champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC), who made a solo move on the descent. Bongiorno took second with a late attack

”Today I was close to the win, I gave everything and can be satisfied, remembering that a champ like Gilbert beat me. The Monte Ologno climb was hard but too far from the finish the go solo. I tried two times but I knew the race would be decided on the descent. Indeed it happened. Gilbert came really fast from behind and went solo to the victory. Behind there wasn’t cooperation, so with 2.5km to go I attacked. I got a gap of 200 meters and held on until the finish line. However I am feeling good and tomorrow I want to try again,” Manuel Bongiorno said.