"We hope to take our chances in this Giro" - Birthday boy Andreas Leknessund remains in GC fight after breakaway success at Giro d'Italia

Fifth in the overall classification this morning at the start of stage 15 of the Giro d'Italia, birthday boy Andreas Leknessund is one of the breakthroughs of the race. Although in the mountains the peloton has so far ridden conservatively, the Norwegian has not given up on a possible GC result after a stint in the pink jersey.

“It is going very well in this Giro so far. That's very nice. I hope to continue in the right direction. I think everyone is suffering in these weather conditions. I certainly don't enjoy it either, but no one will," Leknessund told CyclingPro.net this morning. “A very tough day. A lot can happen again today, we have to prepare for that. It's a bit of a classic-style ride."

Despite losing a spot to new race leader Bruno Armirail yesterday, Leknessund's chances of striking big at the Giro remain. He jumped to the yellow jersey on stage 4 with a successful breakaways and after some days in pink he eventually lost it on the stage 9 time-trial. However he thrived in the summit finish to Crans-Montana arriving close to the favourites, and for the time being sits only 42 seconds behind Geraint Thomas.

Today the climbs of Lombardia will prove another difficult challenge, but the Team DSM remains motivated and willing to take his chances throughout the final days of racing. “We hope to take our chances in this Giro, but we first have to see how the race will go. We are definitely going for it and maybe something is possible in the final week. I may not get much freedom from the other teams. But if you don't try, you don't know," he concluded.