Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) had to endure almost an hour of delightful yet agonizing anticipation in the finish area of the Giro d'Italia's mountain time trial after completing the 20.4km race of truth against the clock, not knowing if his time would be sufficient for a stage win until last man off the starting ramp and race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) powered over the finish line to claim his first stage win of this year’s Italian Grand Tour.

At the end of the day, Nibali bested Sanchez’ time by a convincing 58 seconds gap, forcing the Spaniard to accept the runner-up slot.

"It's a pity because I was starting to think I'd got it but it was mission impossible today. Nibali deserves his win, he's done everything perfectly and is racing formidably," Sánchez gracefully conceded after the time trial.

"When you're in such good shape like he is, you can’t do anything. I expected the times to change a lot with the wetter conditions, and I didn’t think my time would hold out for so long. But I'm happy with my ride."

The runner-up spot is some consolation for Sánchez, who had hitherto had a rather disappointing Giro. Hotly tipped as one of the five big-name favourites for overall success as the Giro kicked off in sundrenched Naples on May 4, Sánchez has thus far failed to seriously threaten the main contenders for overall victory. Prior the final mountain stages in the snow-clad Dolomites l the Euskaltel leader is placed tenth overall, 9’34” down on Nibali after losing time in the team time trial and on the key mountain stages. He came fourth in the cold at Bardonecchia but has been forced to ride on the defensive.

Sánchez will no doubt have gained confidence from his time trial yesterday and will be hoping to snatch a stage victory in the final two mountain stages. Widely regarded as one of the best descenders in the peloton, he will need to find his climbing legs for the mountain finishes in Val Martello on Friday and then at brutally steep Tre Cime di Lavaredo on Saturday.

"My condition’s been improving, but Nibali is on another planet. Nibali has been the rider most in form in the Giro d’Italia," he said.

"I’ll try for another win, although there’s going to be a lot of snow and we have to think about the riders' safety too."