Despite a highly unfortunate beginning, Ryder Hesjedal was doing better in the Giro d’Italia opening week than he was given credit for, managing to avoid further troubles to stay in contention. In such circumstances, the former winner of the Italian grand tour was expected to be one of those who would gain some time on rivals in the important time trial on Thursday, but Garmin-Sharp leader performed below expectations, pointing out to difficult weather conditions afterwards.

Hesjedal entered the competition with a huge gap to other general classification contenders following the dramatic incident in the opening team time trial, but managed to stay clear of troubles since than, gradually improving his situation in rankings. However, the 33-year old Canadian disappointed against the clock on Thursday finishing the 42-kilometer long test 3:22 down on the unattainable Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and extending his time loss to 6:55 behind the Colombian in the overall classification.

Even though is seems very unlikely for the Garmin-Sharp leader to repeat his success from 2012, Hesjedal claims that he deliberately took a cautious to approach to Barbaresco-Barolo test as wet twisty roads provided too big risk, and refuses to throw in the towel as nothing is decided until the very end of such an unpredictable race as Giro d’Italia.

"I'm happy with my ride. I felt comfortable," he told Cyclingnews before understanding the full results and his 20th place in the time trial.

"It was tricky in the wet on the slimy corners and so I had to be super cautious."

"I'm looking to the weekend stages next. They're going to important. Then a lot can happen in the last week, I know that," he said.

"I feel good. So far I've got through all the tough days pretty well. I think I had even more difficulties a couple of years ago and I managed to go on and win the Giro. Back then I had to ride into the race and suffered in the middle part before emerging in the final week. I'm looking forward to being where I was a couple of years ago in the last week of this year's Giro."

"Every day is going to be tough. There are no easy days in the Giro d'Italia."