Hesjedal lays down a psycological marker and takes back a few seconds

It was a tough stage over a grueling 222 kilometres with two tough climbs near the finish and thus the first chance for the rivals of Brad Wiggins to try claw something back. No it wasn't the mountains and if it were the Tour de France we'd see a domestique go clear and win the stage with the favorites tucked safely into the bunch unwilling to risk anything this early in the race, but the Giro seems to bring a different mentality out of its competitors and we seen it in full display today.

Luca Paolini won the stage on his own by 16 seconds and as a result - with time-bonuses added in -- became the third man in three days to pull on the Pink jersey, but it was Ryder Hesjedal who will come out of it with the most confidence. Twice he attacked his rivals and on one occasion on the climb of Sella di Catona (a category 3 climb not expected to be such a factor), he got clear. He did so a little too far out from the finish and rather than risk riding alone and tiring, he sat up to wait, but what he did do was strike an early psychological blow into the confidence of his rivals, not to mention shrink what was left of the peloton down to a select group.

Wiggins, Cadel Evans, and Vicenzo Nibali all found it tough at times and on the descent down towards the finish, Hesjedal again forced the issue putting pressure on the rest. With Paolini not regarded as a big favorite, his descending skills were allowed to take him even further as he opened a decisive gap the he held to the line. Evans who recovered on the descent took second in the sprint with Hesjedal third as both pulled back some vital seconds on Wiggins leaving the Canadian just 17 seconds back on the Englishman.