Vasil Kiryienka claimed Team Sky's second stage victory of the 2015 Giro d'Italia with a virtuoso performance on the stage 14 time trial.

The Belarusian stormed around the mammoth 59.4-kilometre course in a winning time of one hour, 17 minutes and 52 seconds.

The Team Sky rider endured a lengthy and nervous wait on the hotseat in Valdobbiadene before his 12-second stage win was confirmed ahead of Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana).

On wet roads the lengthy test against the clock saw the general classification shaken up significantly, with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) reclaiming the pink jersey.

The Spaniard set third fastest time in Prosecco country to move into a 2:28 lead over Fabio Aru (Astana).

Leopold Konig put in an impressive performance, crossing the line 1:44 off the benchmark of his team-mate to elevate himself back to 10th overall - 5:35 back on Contador.

Richie Porte was unable to take back time on his rivals in difficult conditions and now sits 17th overall, 8:52 back on the maglia rosa.

"It was a long and difficult wait," admitted Kiryienka after the stage. "I was waiting for the maglia rosa and the arrival of Alberto Contador. It was a nice day though. I was lucky, even though it seemed like one of those days where it was raining and it wasn't going to go well. It turned out well in the end.

"Of course we're not very lucky this Giro with Richie. When we looked at the profile some days seemed easier but we've actually had harder days on those "easy days". But we've achieved some good results. It seems that it is difficult for the overall now, but in the next few days of course we'll be there and we're going to try and fight for wins." 

Now a three-time Giro stage winner, the 33 year old admitted that it was a special moment after being given the go-ahead to target the stage.

"It's a really special victory me for," he told Eurosport. "Of course I go well in the time trials but I've not had a big time trial victory in a while so it's nice to take one.

"(Team Principal) Dave Brailsford said 'we're going to win the time trial'. It didn't matter who, but we're going to win it. He told me at breakfast that I was going to have my chances today. I've had really good feelings over the last couple of days. I had a good warm-up today and everything went okay!

"We decided to win the time trial today, as Dave Brailsford said in the press conference. Richie's ride went the way it went, and as you say, I'm an important team-mate, and I did my work for the team today, I think. I'm satisfied with the result and I think the team is too. The team has been expecting something like today from me for several years.

"Leopold König rode hard today because he is still close in the General Classification. I was given the green light because I was in with a chance, and Dave Brailsford said, why not have a go? I'm always at my team's disposal – I will be tomorrow too. 

"Today is a special win for me because I haven't been able to win a time trial in recent years. As for being a leader, it is difficult to be a leader because, in my view, you are under pressure every day. It's something special. I don't know if I'd want that sort of role: perhaps for a one-week race, but in a race like this, it make special demands."

"I don't know, I couldn't say that they mean different things," he said when asked about the difference between his three stage wins. "The other two were from very long distance attacks, so I suppose all three came after long periods of suffering."