Sergio Henao produced a brave effort on the concluding time trial at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, but had to settle for second place in the general classification after Joaquim Rodriguez climbed to victory.

As overnight leader, Henao was the final rider to hit the 18.3km course in Aia, and was one of many riders to switch their time trial bike for a road alternative as a fast start transitioned into a hilly finale featuring the same climb as Friday’s summit finish.

The Colombian - riding only his second race since returning from a career-threatening injury – gave everything he had on the steep ascent to the finish, but his time of 29 minutes 03 seconds proved 13 seconds slower than Rodriguez, who had begun the day on the same time.

The result proved the difference on the overall standings, with Jon Izaguirre (Movistar) rounding out the podium 16 seconds later.

It was Tom Dumoulin who took the stage triumph, with the Giant-Alpecin rider stopping the clock on 28min 46sec to beat Rodriguez (Katusha) by a four-second margin. Izagirre was one second further adrift in third, with Henao wrapping up fourth place on the stage, 17 seconds down on Dumoulin's winning time.

"I'm happy with the result," Henao told Biciciclismo. "I have ben third in 2013 and second. Next year I will be first. The strongest rider won.

"I am happy and pleased with my performance. I really enjoyed it . I feel like a winner as I am back racing at the highest level.

"For me it was a prize just to be here after my injury. To keep up with strong rivals like Joaquim and Nairo makes me proud. I feel like I won.

"For me, to be riding again was a success and a victory. When you're here, when you are in the fight for the win and dream of the yellow jersey, you have a sour taste but I am because I know that my time will come. I feel that I can improve a lot more now because I still need to recover fully so I'm happy. I enjoyed the people of the Basque Country which for me are special. I feel a great affection for them as they always show their love.

"I do not know if I can do better. I try to always give my best but I feel like I have another point to improve and like I can get to another level. This was my second race after almost a year without competing but I've done very well. I was beaten by very strong rivals like Purito who was at his best level. He is a great rider. 

"We knew it would be very difficult, things were very close, we were even in the same time.

"Now I will continue my training with motivation to do the Ardennes Classics which will motivate me, and the Tour of  California. I hope to do something in the Classics."

Speaking after the stage, Sports Director Nicolas Portal was sad not to see Sergio complete a fairytale comeback, but delighted with his team’s display over six testing stages.

He told TeamSky.com: “Everyone has performed really well this week, none more so than Sergio. When you think what he’s been through to get back in the peloton after his injury, let alone challenging for race wins at WorldTour level, it really is fantastic.

“He rode brilliantly to take the jersey on Wednesday, and he and the rest of the guys did a great job to keep it on his shoulders coming into today’s stage.

“Sergio gave it 100% out there today. We've just checked his numbers and he did exactly what we wanted him to do. He paced himself perfectly, never went into the red, and you have to take your hat off to Rodriguez for the way he rode.

“This result will give Sergio a massive boost in confidence, and it all bodes well for the races to come.

"I want to praise the rest of the boys as well. Danny [Pate] stepped up as the race went on and Xabi [Zandio] was the key rider for Sergio. He looked after him all week and had a massive impact. Mikel [Nieve] and Vasil [Kiryienka] were strong, despite suffering with allergies, and David [Lopez] was unbelievable on the front this week.

"They are all targeting the Ardennes classics and we're definitely going to have a strong team there."