Steve Cummings started Thursday?s sixth Giro stage with what he described as his ?breakaway haircut?, but despite going with virtually every move in the first hour, he missed the 11-rider break that decided the stage.
He spent a lot of energy, finishing the 232km stage covered in sweat and with huge regrets about what could have been.
?I tried to get in a break and I was in about every move except for the last one,? he told Cycling Weekly at the finish.
?It was hard stage even though they shortened it by 35km because everybody knew there was going to be a breakaway today. Jens Voigt attacked right from the gun and it kept going like that for an hour.
?It was a bit crazy because Liquigas couldn?t control it. There were only 30 of us at one point, then there were 50 of us and it came back. It just kept splitting and guys were getting dropped.
?When the 11 went it was on the last little descent before the long flat roads. I was working for Soler then because we had to keep up front just in case anything happened. Unfortunately that?s when they got away.?
Cummings confirmed that the tough terrain of in the south of Italy and the many transfer had made the first week particularly difficult. ?It?s a hard Giro, the terrain is tough and that forces you to race hard,? he said.
?The GC riders always have to be up front and be careful. There?s always a little climb for something to happen and everybody is still scared of losing time.
?I?ve good and bad days so far but we?ve had to do a fair bit of work helping Soler stay out of trouble. When he crashed he was pretty bad and we were riding at the front all to keep him out of trouble. He?s better now and hopefully he can do something on the climbs.
?After today I?m going to treat Friday?s stage as a recovery day but I?m going to try again later on.?
GIRO D'ITALIA 2008: STAGE REPORTS
Stage six: Italians clean upStage five: Millar denied by snapped chain
Stage four: Cavendish wins
Stage three: Bennati romps home
Stage two: Ricco wins Giro d'Italia second stage
Stage one TTT: Slipstream wins Giro team time trial
GIRO D'ITALIA 2008: NEWS
Aggressive Cummings comes away empty handed [stage six]
Millar speaks out after missing out in Giro [stage five]
Reaction to Cavendish's Giro stage win
Cav hits back at Pozzato's snipe
Cavendish: This is my biggest win [stage four]
Millar celebrates Slipstream Giro d'Italia success
Bettini looking for final Giro glory
Astana's troubled build-up to the Giro
Petacchi banned for Salbutamol positive
Yates and Astana make last minute rush to Giro
GIRO D'ITALIA 2008: PHOTOS
Giro d'Italia 2008: Photo gallery. New photos added daily
GIRO D'ITALIA 2008: FEATURES
Tuesday Comment (May 13): Why Cavendish is a bona fide world-class star
Giro Britannia: how the Brits are doing in Italy
Giro d'Italia 2008 preview
Giro d'Italia 2008: who will win?
Giro d'Italia 2008: The British are coming
Giro d'Italia on Eurosport: TV schedule
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
