Ryder Hesjedal went on the attack in the Italian Alps yet again, animating the race with a gutsy solo move nine kilometers from the summit finish in Cervinia. This time Hesjedal’s strength uphill netted him second place on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia and a two spot jump on the overall classification. Heading into the final weekend of racing, Hesjedal sits in seventh overall.

“He raced to win,” said Sport Director Charly Wegelius. “We always do. The objective was to win the stage, but the effort was ideal. It’s clear how strong Ryder is.”

As has been the norm in the 98th edition of the Giro d’Italia, Friday’s stage started quickly with the peloton covering 50 kilometers in the first hour of the race. It took the breakaway nearly that entire hour to establish. Eventually a group of nine riders slipped away. Astana kept the escape group close, never allowing the gap to exceed four minutes.

The breakaway split and groups began to form off the back of the peloton as the race hit the three category one climbs that shaped the stage. Hesjedal bided his time, waiting for the moment where he would make his move.

The final climb to Cervinia came 15 kilometers from the finish. Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), the lone holdout from the early break, began the climb with 1:36 advantage. He would be caught just before the ten kilometer mark.

Hesjedal was amongt the six rider group that formed following Visconti’s catch. The elite group included Hesjedal, Leopold König (Sky) Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL – Jumbo), Fabio Aru (Astana) and Mikel Landa (Astana).

While Hesjedal settled into the group, Aru threw down the first attack, and Contador marked the move. Hesjedal seized the moment. He accelerated and immediately opened up a gap. Nine kilometers from the finish, Hesjedal was climbing toward Cervinia alone.

Hesjedal continued riding alone until the six kilometer mark at which point Aru bridged across. Aru went on to launch an attack of his own, which would net him the stage win. Following his execptional effort, Hesjedal crossed the line in second place, 50 seconds ahead of the maglia rosa group.

“Of course we wanted the win but what Ryder did today and the strength he showed to move up two spots on the general classification – it was exceptional,” said Wegelius.

“I think I messed up, I shouldn’t have tried to stay with Aru when he accelerated,” Hesjedal said. “That completely exploded me, where as if I didn’t go into the red, I think I could have got on terms with him and tried my chance in the sprint against him. It’s a little frustrating.”

“I just like to be racing the way I’m racing. I think my riding and performing is better than the result reflects. The result is just a product of racing this way. As I keep saying, I’ve won the Giro, so I’m not excited for fifth or seventh overall.

“I’m completely happy, you can’t control everything. I’m happy to be on the front in the third week. The field and the level is incredible here. Hats off to Aru and Astana, they’re unreal, riding all day like that. I’m just happy to be up there in the front."

Later Hesjedal plans to do the Tour de France

“You’re not doing a race until you’re out of the race. That was always the plan and is why I started the season a little slow, with the Giro-Tour in mind. It’s all going as good as it goes for that.”

The Giro d’Italia continues tomorrow with a 199 kilometer stage from Saint Vincent to Sestriere. The penultimate stage includes the Colle delle Finestre with an unpaved gravel section leading to the summit.