Cadel Evans enjoyed not having to control the race in today's 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia and got a realtively easy day before heading into the decisive stages in the mountains. With fatigue starting to play a role, the Australian expects to see a completely different race from tomorrow.

Three survivors from an original six-man breakaway sprinted it out Friday at the Giro d'Italia as the BMC Racing Team protected Cadel Evans on rain-slickened roads at the end of the 157-kilometer stage. Marco Canola (Bardiani-CSF) took the stage win ahead of Jackson Rodriguez (Androni Giocattoli) and Angelo Tulik (Team Europcar) as Evans and the peloton arrived 11 seconds later.

The overall standings remained unchanged, with Evans second, 37 seconds behind race leader Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).

Not having the responsibility of controlling the race was a nice change, Evans said.

"But like often after a time trial, a lot of the sprinters had an opportunity to recover," he said. "That can make for a really hard final, which, with the weather and the circuit today, made for an easier start, but quite an intense final."

Manuel Quinziato was one of the teammates guiding Evans through challenges that included remnants of a hail storm so strong it resembled snow on the road.

"The guys almost did a lead out to the two roundabouts in the last kilometers to make sure Cadel was near the first position or almost top 10," Quinziato said.

BMC Racing Team Sport Director said Saturday's 164-km race is the first "true mountain stage" of the Giro and will put the overall contenders to the test.

"It will be hard to control," Baldato said. "The beginning is rolling. After that, there are two climbs before the finish in Oropa: one is short and steep, while the other is pretty regular. A race from kilometer zero will be really hard. I think it will be one where the leaders will be at the front together for the last climb."

Evans agreed.

"We are getting some bigger mountains – certainly not easier mountains – but we are nearly coming into the third week," he said. "Here it also changes everyone's recovery and levels of fatigue. I think we will see a different Giro from tomorrow on."