BMC Racing Team's Daniel Oss scored his best result of the season Wednesday with a runner-up finish to Ramunas Navardauskas (Garmin-Sharp) on Stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia after the two were part of a 20-man breakaway.

With 21km to go in the 182km race, Oss and Navardauskas set off in pursuit of a third member of their breakaway group – Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano) – who had built a 90-second lead. The pair quickly caught and passed Gretsch before Navardauskas made his own surge to leave Oss with 5km to go of the finishing climb.

"A breakaway was not in the plan today," Oss said, "but it was an opportunity. I am really happy and thanks to (BMC Racing Team Assistant Director) Max Sciandri, who directed me very well. The people along the last climb were supporting me, so I felt very excited."

Oss finished 68 seconds after Navardauskas as the peloton arrived more than five-and-a-half minutes later. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) kept the overall lead while Oss' teammate Cadel Evans remained second, 41 seconds back, and still in the lead in the points classification.

"Today was not so important for the general classification," Evans said, "but it is always essential to pay attention in the final for th GC. Most of all, I'm happy for Daniel Oss. It's good to have his chance in his first Giro as an Italian."

Oss' previous best result were third place finishes at E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke and on Stage 2 of Tour du Haut Var.