We got the heads up from Tyler that he wasn't feeling it today, so it's all in on the GC with time to make up.

Early break of 2 men got away in the morning.

As we hit the climb the break had 2 minutes. We had 4 men up front: Cardoso, Slagter, Hesjedal, and me.

Over the top it's only Hesjedal and me that still have gas left in the tank. Frapporti fell off the break, and there were 2 still in front.

With the FDJ and Katusha relayers cracking, Hesjedal and I went to the front over the small, rolling hills, just testing my legs.

Before I knew it he break was caught and Hesjedal was leading me out,. We were in good position and I was fresh but there were still sprinters in the group.

I was right. EBH went by like lightning up the road and I was in no position shape to catch up with that acceleration on flat road. Valverde was also with me behind and Demare had wasted energy.

EBH takes it and Valverde just edges me out for second. I get a small time bonus but other than that nothing is changed, as everyone important comes home together.

We've got a hilly stage coming up! Tomorrow will be good! See you there!

Don't underestimate this stage. The hills are plentiful and they are very steep. I expect a non conventional, yet exciting stage with lots of selection.

Early break got away, but they would be caught before it would matter.

We hit the front a little during the race, while the core four of last stage stuck together.

Rodriguez put in a daring attack mid way through as the break was caught, reflective of Murcia. He had 3 minutes in an instant.

Nibali attacked next. As riders went up the road, we were forced to use our domestiques to pace, with a growing number of team counting on the breaks.

When Froome attacked, I knew we had to do something. Ryder was a, little behind, but we didn't have any other manpower.

I had to make a little move myself, to avoid being caught out from the splits.

I made the major split. Valverde had over a minute on this group, with Purito still 4 minutes ahead. I went straight to the front with 10 km to go.

About to hit the final climb I found myself in a 3 man group ahead of the chase with Kiserlovski and Costa. I still felt good, and as we hit the final climb, I had Valverde in my sights.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez wins the stage easily, and we're still trekking the final climb. What a cheeky move, and it paid off!

I dropped Kiserlovski quick, and lost Costa, by the time the motorbikes had sight on me again, I had pipped Piti on the line! 2nd place for me, but Purito really got us good! 2nd place is 3:25 back!

Valverde still had his gap from the TT, but I still move onto the podium!

Definitely a borderline GC stage, we'll have to be alert.

The break consisted of 8 guys, most notably Horner for Lampre.

Katusha did most of the pacing on the front for Purito.

Before we knew it lots of team leaders were up the road, and Nibali had Inglinsky with him.

It was down to me and Ryder, but he was really good, and we trekked on to catch them.

And we did, fairly easily, with both of us still fresh.

Over the top of the final climb most of the break was caught. Still, we kept pushing.

However, 2 men still lingered. Davide Rebellin was in front with 30 seconds over Eros Capecchi and a minute over the peloton with 5 km to go.

Rebellin took it and we had Capecchi in our sights. I launched my sprint a little late, and Nibali was ahead for 3rd.

I got 4th place, 22 seconds back. No real GC losses.

Like I said, no changes for me.

I'm in line for a podium, but there's still time to improve on that. See for the next stage!

These stage s are very much alike. Huh.

I forgot to tell you last time, but I now hold the overall point lead! Let's see if we can hold it with the GC out of reach.

When the break went away, Nathan Brown jumped into it with Stetina, Cunego, and Ten Dam among others.Our goal was to make he other teams (primarily Katusha and Movistar) have to work.

And work Katusha did: all day for Purito. Although it was obvious something drastic would have to occur for him to loose the jersey.

As we hit the hilly sections, attacks flew by. First Nibali and Purito. Then Valverde and Costa. Behind we just attempted to keep our unit until I was left with only Hesjedal.

They were easily caught, as nobody would work with their enemies. Hesjedal wanted to test his legs, so he pushed on at the front.

More attacks went. Each time J-Rod followed and every time Ryder caught them easily.

Meanwhile up front, it was Cunego who had attacked away. Only Chaves from Greenedge responded, and it looks like the little prince was riding away with it. Brown was still in the main group behind.

Around the final corner with 2 km to go and Hesjedal was faltering. We were about to hit the final climb.

In front it's Cunego who takes it! Brown end up 4th.

Purito just blew us away. Nothing we could do. I was giving it all I had to follow Valverde, side by side with Costa and Uran.

And I cross the line behind Rodriguez in 9th. I finished ahead of valverde but just couldn't put a gap in it. It looks more and more like the podium will be where my success ends.

Nothing really changed GC wise, besides the race leader gaining another 10 seconds.

And like I said, still leading points wise.

The finishing TT is pan flat. Exactly what I didn't want. Luckily it's short, so that could make up for it.

Taylor Phinney had the lead time for most of the race, until Cancellara beat him by one second. Even later, EBH would come within half a second of Canc.

It would be very hard to lose the podium at this point, so I just hoped the points jersey would stay safe. I just didn't have anything special. Not bad. I didn't expect to do well. I came 79th, 49 seconds down.

But the race winner was always to be Purito. What a show he put on this week.

Podium all within one second, but it was Cancellara who took it.

Purito takes it, and I secure the podium in 3rd. Good race for me overall.

But the tragedy was this. Apparently EBH managed to snag the points jersey from me with his TT finish! I'm extremely disappointed, as I had been hoping I could close it down.

Other competitions don't really need commentary.

That's it in Italy! Next up is Volta a Catalunya, where I will be defending my title in a week's time! See you there!