Cadel Evans (BMC) was the big loser in today's mountain time trial as he finished a modest 25th 2.36 behind race leader and stage winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). He remains second overall but admits that the win is now beyond his reach and tries to keep things in perspective by reminding himself that the race was always meant to be training for the Tour de France.

Cadel Evans was a late inclusion to the Giro d'Italia start list and he started the race with modest ambitions as he was uncertain of his own condition. Instead, the race was mostly a change to get in some quality training ahead of the Tour de France after an illness-hampered 2011 season but he also insisted that he would do his best to finish as high in the GC as possible.

Up until today, the Australian had been the race's big positive surprise and he went into today's first of three stages in the Dolomites sitting comfortably in 2nd overall 1.26 behind Nibali. After his cautious approach in the opening part of the race, he had even started to talk about himself as a possible winner of the race.

Those hopes were all dashed on the 20,6km mountain time trial from Mori to Polsa. Instead of battling Nibali for the stage win, he finished a disappointing 25th and while he remains 2nd overall, he is now 4.02 behind the Astana rider. Furthermore, his rivals for the podiums spots edged closer and Rigoberto Uran is now only 10 seconds behind while Michele Scarponi follows 1.12 further adrift.

Clearly disappointed by his own performance, Evans admits that he is now an unlikely winner of the race but keeps things in perspective by reminding everyone of his modest ambitions prior to the race.

"It's not for lack of trying that I lost a minute or two minutes," he said. "I came to this Giro with high hopes, but not high expectations. My real objective was to give my best, and, until this point, I've made a few mistakes, but nothing big. So in that regard, in terms of giving my best, that's great. But when you need winning, of course you want to be winning – and that's maybe when your hopes rise above your capabilities."

"I'm unlikely to win, but I came here for training for the Tour de France. Second place at this point is not so bad."

Evans will face a tough task of defending his podium place in tomorrow's hard stages in the Dolomites. Despite an altered course due to bad weather three big climbs will make it a tough day in the saddle.

Starting at 12.15 you can follow the entire stage on CyclingQuotes.com/live.