One year ago Giovanni Visconti won a big mountain stage on the Col du Galiebier in the Giro d'Italia and today he tried to repeat that performance in the Tour de France queen stage. At one point, the Italian believed that he could make it but was just happy to be back at the highest level after he fractured his tibia in the Down Under Classic.

Giovanni Visconti got his 2014 season off to the worst possible start when he fractured his tibia in the Down Under Classic and faced several months of recovery. Today the Italian proved that he is back to his best when he almost won the queen stage of the Tour de France.

In the end, he came up short against Rafal Majka and had to settle for second and even though there was a slight feeling of disappointment, the Italian was mostly pleased to be back in the thick of the action.

"I tried it hard and, at a certain point I thought I could repeat last year's action from the Galibier but we have to compliment Majka, he had already won a stage, he was wearing the KOM jersey and that always gives you an extra bit of energy," he said. "Once I saw him coming from behind, I knew it would be very difficult.

"I'm happy with what I did, especially when I remember that six months ago, I was in bed in hospital with a broken leg, and today I was here, fighting for arguably the toughest stage in this year's Tour.

"It was a very fast race. As expected, Katusha kept the break under control before the first KOM. The break was big and very strong; I always rode at the back, thinking that Alejandro [Valverde] could need my help if they came back from behind, but as I said, there were really expert guys in the break, and at the end I felt strong and gave it a try.

"There were so many sacrifices to reach this race in good condition and I couldn't give up. I felt well, just like last year, and even believed I could make it, but it wasn't to be."