Italian rider Mauro Santambrogio took a solo win in the 200 km GP Industria & Artigianato-Larciano and is now targeting the same result at the Italian Grand Tour with the added attraction of focussing on the general classification.

Santambrogio was one of Cadel Evans' most relied upon domestiques in the mountains during his three seasons at the US ProTeam and was part of the Australian's Tour de France winning team in 2010.  Fast forward 3 years and the time had come for the 28-year-old to focus on himself and his own ambitions.

Prior to his win on Saturday Santambrogio had picked up six podium placings in one-day races and tours along with a top-ten overall at Tirreno-Adriatico and second at the Giro del Trentino which is often regarded as the final warm up ahead of the Giro.

"It was about time," Santambrogio told La Gazzetta Dello Sport after his win at GP Industria & Artigianato - Larciano. "To be able to stand on the podium to shake hands and smile at people serves to make up for all the sacrifices and has finally unblocked my victory abstinence.

Even though he has never set his sights on the general classification at a three-week race in the past, Santambrogio believes this season may provide the opportunity to expand his ambitions from aiming for a stage win to actually riding alongside Giro favourites Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), last year's winner Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin Sharp) and the rest to fight for overall glory.

"The win at GP Industria has given me confidence for the Giro d'Italia where I will ride with the aim of taking a stage win and then turn my attention to the general classification along the way."

The Vini Fantini-Selle Italia line-up for the 2013 Giro d'Italia hasn’t been released yet but the signing of former Giro conqueror, Danilo Di Luca, implies the notorious Italian may be there to offer his support to his younger teammate Santambrogio during the race.