Albert Timmer is mostly known for his skills as a great lead-out man but today he surprised in unfamiliar terrain when he got close to a stage win in the Giro d'Italia mountains. Despite the disappointment of missing out, the Dutchman was pleased having had the chance to lead a big mountain stage deep into the finale.

Albert Timmer was let loose off the front today on the mountainous 14th stage of the Giro and he made use of his chance to shine off the front and animate the race on the final ascent to the finish.

Having been a part of the initial break of 21 riders, Timmer took off on the final climb with Manuel Quinziato (BMC). Quinziato suffered a puncture early on and Timmer pushed on alone, pulling out over 30 seconds gap to the chasers. Despite a valiant fight, Timmer could not quite hold on to the finish and was caught in the final two kilometres, eventually finishing sixth on the stage.

Timmer slipped in the large breakaway group early in the 164km mountain stage from Aglie to Oropa which included two first category climbs, with the final ascent being a tough 11km ramp to the finish.

The group worked well together to build up a lead of up to ten minutes and at the top of the penultimate climb with 42km to go their advantage was still just short of six minutes. On the descent the attacks started to come but by the bottom the group was nearly intact and set for the final ascent to the line, still with over five minutes advantage.

Timmer attacked with Quinziato before the base of the climb and soon pulled clear however a mechanical for Quinziato saw Timmer left at the front on his own. He decided to push on and kept on building his advantage as the kilometres ticked by – the rouleur showing his strength. You could see the pain and suffering in his face however he kept turning the pedals over and focusing on getting to the top.

The road continued to kick up in the final three kilometres and with just over two to go Timmer was finally caught by a small collection of chasers, first two, then another then another. He held on with them until they attacked for the line in the final 800m and eventually came across in sixth place, his second top 10 of the Giro.

“I surprised myself a bit today,” said Timmer after descending back down to the team bus. “The final was really hard today and I was riding at my max but it was an all or nothing move so I just stayed focused on keeping my rhythm.

“Leading up that climb with all the fans on the road gave me goosebumps and it was a strange feeling. It was close but in the end a bit too much. I’m still happy with the ride today and it is great to take an opportunity like that in such a big race as the Giro d’Italia.”

Team Giant-Shimano coach Addy Engels added: “The break went really early today actually and we were thinking more of Simon [Geschke] or Georg [Preidler] but Timmer was there and was on a good day.

“When a domestique gets a chance for a stage win it’s great and you are always willing them on to do it. We knew we had to preempt the final climb and it worked out well. Timmer was climbing well but a finish like today is always tough for a guy like him compared to climbers.

“He was really focused and determined and made it a long way – you just have to keep pressing on in a situation like that. In the end sixth is still a strong result and moreover it once again shows that we are challenging on nearly every stage here at the Giro. Tomorrow is another hard finish but flatter before so we will see what the situation is on the road.”