Rigoberto Urán (Sky) went toe-to-toe with his main GC rivals on the Col du Galibier to remain in third overall at the Giro d’Italia following stage 15 on Sunday.

The Colombian finished in an elite group of lead contenders at the finish line near the top of the mythical climb to ensure he headed into the second rest day in the final podium place overall.

"I think we were lucky today, it was only cold at the end,” Urán told Sky Sports. “Today [Sunday] was a hard stage again but it was a great day of racing. We made the right decision to ride steady on the first climb and then it became really hard on the climb to the finish."

Urán trails Nibali (Astana) by 2’46” but is only one minute down on Evans (BMC). With Bradley Wiggins compelled to abandon the race on medical grounds, Urán assumed the role as the team leader at Team Sky and anything short of a place on the podium in Brescia on Sunday will be regarded as a disappointment for the Colombian climber.

"I expected these two stages to go like they did," he said. "Nibali, Evans and Santambrogio are riding well and are on form. Today it was difficult to gain time because were all about as strong as each other. Now it's important to rest up well and then we'll see what happens in the remaining stages."

Looking at the itinerary of the remainder of the Giro, the attack-minded Colombian will be pinning his aspirations on Thursday's 20km mountain time trial near Trento and subsequently on the two final mountain stages. His victory atop the Altopiano del Montasio confirmed his form on the ascents and elevated him up the overall standings. He will have to be similarly belligerent if he is to become the first ever Colombian to win the Giro d'Italia.

"The last week will be hard but will also be a great race. I hope the weather is okay, so that we can climb all the mountains. Then we'll see what happens…" he added with a smile. “The mountain time trial will also be important and could change the race. I'm still feeling pretty good and I'm confident."