Ryder Hesjedal was the best-placed Cannondale-Garmin rider up the Abetone on stage five of the Giro d’Italia while stage four winner Davide Formolo posted a strong ride to remain in ninth overall. Hesjedal and Formolo enjoyed the full support of their teammates throughout the 152km stage.

“The objective today was to contest the final climb with Formolo and Ryder,” said Sport Director Charly Wegelius. “We had three riders at the start making sure that we were covered for any large groups that went away.”

While large groups dominated stages three and four, only five riders escaped the hold of the peloton on stage five. With none of the riders a threat to the overall classification, they were allowed to grow their advantage out to nine minutes.

“After the break had gone, it was a matter of delivering Ryder and Davide to the bottom of the final climb in a good position,” explained Wegelius. “We wanted them to have saved as much energy as possible and arrive at the climb with all the things that they needed, and we accomplished that today.”

The first summit finish of the Giro was a 17 kilometer category two mountain. The break hit the lower slopes with an advantage of slightly more than six minutes. The bunch gave chase as attacks begin in the leading group. The pace of the chase and the gradient of the climb naturally slimmed down the size of the peloton. Hesjedal and Formolo climbed confidently in the bunch.

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) attacked out of the remainder of the bunch with six kilometres remaining. His move immediately sparked a reaction and broke apart what was left of the peloton. Initially only Richie Porte (Team Sky) and Fabio Aru (Astana) were able to bridge across to Contador. Eventually Aru’s teammate, Mikel Landa surged across.

Ahead of the quartet, lone riders, remnants of the break, fought their way up the mountain. Behind the quartet, Hesjedal went to the front of the group that was rapidly reducing in size to give chase. Inside three kilometers left to race, Hesjedal attacked.

Hesjedal would go on to finish in the first significant chase group, crossing the line in 15th place, 27 seconds behind Contador and company. Formolo finished 40 seconds behind Hesjedal and remains in the top ten overall.

“Ryder responded extremely positively to the natural disappointment of losing some time yesterday,” said Wegelius. “Today he proved his conditions is there. This is only week one of a three week race, and we know that there are a lot of things he can achieve in this Giro. He and Davide both had great rides today. It was a good day for the team.”

Racing continues on Thursday with a 183km stage between Montecatini Terme and Castiglione della Pescaia.