Cadel Evans finished 10th on Thursday's stage of the Giro d'Italia to preserve his second place overall on the eve of an uphill time trial and two straight mountain stages that the BMC Racing Team rider said will be key to the final general classification.

The unknown factor among those three stages – following Thursday's 20.6km individual time trial – is whether race organizers will be able to execute Friday and Saturday's mountain-top finishes as planned, due to the threat of adverse weather and snow.

"I look at it as three really important days for selection," Evans said. "Obviously if you take out two of those, then a minute and a half to take back in 20 kilometres is pretty difficult. The time trial was always going to be one of those decisive stages and it's not a very long one. But even if you have one percent more in the legs or a little bit better recovery, or you've had a little less effort in the two weeks leading into it, you can really make a difference. It's pretty much up all uphill."

Evans is currently 1’26” behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) after a 214km stage that was won solo by Giovanni Visconti (Movistar Team) and saw no significant changes at the top of the overall standings.

BMC Racing Team Assistant Director Fabio Baldato said strong work by his teammates helped Evans conserve energy. "They did a good job to always remain with him," Baldato said. "We were already looking ahead to the stage tomorrow. We hope he has a very good day. He is ready and he knows the course, having already made reconnaissance."