 He was part of a fortunate breakaway in stage 11 of that race that took over 13 minutes from the race's overall favourites, and claimed the jersey three days later on a mountain stage.He kept it through two mountain stages and the climbing time trial to Kronplatz, but lost it to eventual Giro champion Ivan Basso in stage 19.He finished the race second overall, in the process proving himself to be one of the best descenders in the peloton.