Cannondale-Garmin started the eighth stage of the Girod’Italia with dual objectives. The first was to support Tom Danielson’s efforts to get into the early escape group. The second was to look after Ryder Hesjedal and Davide Formolo, who would focus on a good result up the mountaintop finish on Campitello Matese.

“This was a stage that suited Tom, and it was a good chance for him to look for a result,” said Sport Director Charly Wegelius. “The chance for him to win the stage was going to come from a breakaway.”

Simply getting into the move proved exceedingly challenging. Danielson initiated the first break attempt, bridged across to a second move that was allowed a minute advantage and then made it into the third escape group – a group that would eventually gain nearly nine minutes on the peloton.

“The idea that the stage win would come from the break combined with the roads and the rain made it really hard stage,” added Wegelius. “It was tough on everybody at the start.”

The breakaway split over the climbs, and Danielson found himself in the second group on the road. He maintained a healthy advantage over the peloton until the final climb.

Hesjedal and Formolo rode a steady tempo up the summit finish. Hesjedal crossed the line in 18th place. 1:11 behind stage winner Beñat Intxausti (Movistar) and 36 seconds behind the four-rider maglia rosa group. Formolo slotted into 21st place at 1:33.

“Both Davide and Ryder did a great job today,” Wegelius continued. “They’re both riding very consistently. It was another very good day for the team.”