Evans lost the jersey and Stage 12 to Omega Pharma-QuickStep’s Rigoberto Uran who took control of the race after the 41.9-kilometre time trial.
Evans rode solidly, if unspectacularly, in the Piedmont vineyards, finishing third, 1min 34sec down on Uran.
Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) was second, 1min 17sec adrift, in a rain-hit stage that saw Uran turn a 57sec deficit into a 37sec general classification lead on Evans.
Evans struggled to negotiate drying roads as the rain subsided just before the final riders tackled the course.
His time through the first intermediate check-point was only good enough for ninth but the veteran BMC rider began to close the gap on his rivals over the latter part with the notable exception of Uran.
"I wasn't able to give everything," said Evans, who came close to sliding off the road at the finish."I had said these past few days that Rigoberto seemed relaxed but I didn't expect that he would be as strong."
However, a philosophical Evans claimed losing the overall lead was not necessarily the worst outcome.
"To lose the pink jersey is not a tragedy. It's perhaps even an advantage given what awaits us," said the 2011 Tour de France champion.
The next test in the Evans and Uran duel for supremacy will come on the mountainous 164km 14th stage from Aglie to Oropa.
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