Ryder Hesjedal produced the ride of his life to finish second behind Roman Kreuziger on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia to close the gap on race leader Joaquim Rodriguez to just 17 seconds.

Kreuziger’s overall hopes were dashed when the Astana rider cracked on stage 17 but the 26-year-old saved his Giro with a superb attack on the penultimate climb to solo to victory on the 198km stage from Treviso to Alpe di Pampeago.

Hesjedal attacked from the chasing group on the final climb to put the maglia rosa within touching distance with two stages remaining – a 219km epic on Saturday finishing atop the Passo dello Stelvio, before Sunday’s 30km time trial finale, with Hesjedal the far stronger rider against the clock.

Rodriguez’s third place finish earned the Spaniard 16 points, cutting Mark Cavendish’s lead to just 13 points, and a strong ride on the penultimate stage will put Rodriguez in the red jersey.

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Giro d’Italia stage 19 – result

1) Roman Kreuziger (CZE) – Astana 6:18:02 hours
2) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) – Garmin-Barracuda +19″
3) Joaquim Rodriguez (SPA) – Katusha +32″
4) Michele Scarponi (ITA) – Lampre-ISD +35″
5) Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) – Colnago-CSF Inox +43″
6) Ivan Basso (ITA) – Liquigas-Cannondale +55″
7) Rigoberto Uran (COL) – Team Sky +57″
8) Mikel Nieve Ituralde (SPA) – Euskaltel-Euskadi +1’18”
9) Stefano Pirazzi (ITA) – Colnago-CSF Inox +1’22”
10) John Gadret (FRA) – Ag2r La Mondiale – same time

General classification

1) Joaquim Rodriguez (SPA) – Katusha 84:06:12 hours
2) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) – Garmin-Barracuda +17″
3) Michele Scarponi (ITA) – Lampre-ISD +1’39”
4) Ivan Basso (ITA) Liquigas-Cannondale +1’45”
5) Rigoberto Uran (COL) Sky Procycling +3’21”
6) Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) Colnago-CSF Inox +3’30”
7) John Gadret (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale +5’36”
8) Thomas De Gendt (BEL) Vacansoleil-DCM +5’40”
9) Sergio Henao (COL) Sky Procycling +5’47”
10) Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre-ISD +6’09”