His main objective for 2011 was the Giro d'Italia, and especially its mountain stages. He lived up to his objectives since he prevailed on 2 mountain stages in the race: stage 9 from Messina to Etna after original winner Alberto Contador was removed from the rankings due to a doping affair and stage 13 from Spilimbergo to Grossglockner, while finishing sixth in the overall classification.