Cadel Evans (BMC) appeared destined to be dropped on the summit finish on Vetriolo Terme yesterday but clawed his way into the top 15 overall at the Giro del Trentino on the first of two successive mountain-top finishes of the four-day Italian stage race.

After a display of grim determination Evans finished 10th on the stage, 46 seconds behind solo stage winner Kanstansin Siutsou (Sky). The 2011 Tour de France winner was unable to follow an acceleration by Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) inside the final three km of the 224.8 km stage.

"I know where I am and it looks like things are improving, at least on where I am," Evans told the BMC website. "I can use that as a measure for the future stages and, of course, going to the Giro. I'm happy to be improving. Things are starting to come together, which is always encouraging."

Evans, who was 52nd overall after Tuesday's Stage 2b team time trial, moved up to 14th, 5:03 behind new race leader Maxime Bouet (AG2R La Mondiale) after Wednesday’s mountaintop finish. The BMC captain will use the Giro d’Italia as a warm-up race in his preparations for this year’s Tour de France.