Originally set to be 27.2km, stage 18’s individual time trial in Valladolid has been drastically reduced to just 12.2km following anticipated protests. But even with the shortened course, it remains the only race against the clock in this year’s Vuelta and could still play a key role in the GC fight. The profile is flat and fast, with just a small slope at the start, favouring the pure specialists and those with efficient aero positions. With no more chances for time trials and only two stages left, this could be the final opportunity for riders to gain – or lose – seconds in a controlled effort.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 18 details
Date: Thursday 11th September
Distance: 12.2km Individual Time Trial
Start location: Valladolid
Finish location: Valladolid
Start time: 13:12 CEST
Finish time: 17:30 CEST
This isn’t Valladolid’s first time in the Vuelta spotlight. The Castilian city has hosted numerous crucial TTs over the years, including the one that delivered Raymond Poulidor the race lead in 1964 and a dominant ride by Tony Rominger in 1992. Most recently, it was the scene of Jonas Vingegaard’s struggles in 2023, where he lost 1:18 to Filippo Ganna over a slightly longer course. The terrain may be kinder this time, but the stakes remain just as high.
With just one corner of note and otherwise wide, straight roads, this stage is all about speed. The opening kilometre has a drag, but from there, it’s a pan-flat run to the finish line. The reduced length may limit the damage for those less suited to the discipline, but the best time triallists still have a chance to make a mark.
Contenders
Jonas Vingegaard will be hoping to put last year’s memories behind him. Despite the course change, he remains one of the top favourites for the stage win and will be aiming to distance João Almeida, who is still his main GC rival. The Portuguese rider has shown great consistency in recent time trials and won’t be far off the pace, especially on this short course.
The battle for the final podium spot adds another layer of intrigue. Tom Pidcock starts the day third overall but faces pressure from Jai Hindley, who has often been stronger in TTs. Just 36 seconds separate them, and this could be a decisive swing.
Among the specialists, Stefan Küng stands out as the prime favourite. The Groupama-FDJ rider thrives in short, flat tests and will see this as one of his best opportunities in the race. Filippo Ganna may also contest the win, especially given his past success here, while teammates Magnus Sheffield and Bob Jungels add depth to the Ineos challenge. Bruno Armirail, Dan Hoole, Antonio Tiberi, and Matteo Jorgenson are all capable of strong top-10 performances.
Prediction
Stefan Küng to win stage 18. The course may be short, but it plays to his strengths, and the lack of technical corners should allow him to unleash his full power.
