The only individual time trial of the 2025 Vuelta a España took place on stage 18 in Valladolid, though not in its originally planned format. Security concerns over pro-Palestine protests forced organisers to cut the course from 27.2km to just 12.2km, leaving the riders with a flat and technical blast around the city.
The stage began under bright skies, with Oscar Riesebeek of Alpecin-Deceuninck rolling down the ramp first. Jasper Philipsen followed soon after, using the day to conserve energy for the sprint opportunities still to come. Early times were modest until Daan Hoole of Lidl-Trek, the Dutch national time trial champion, laid down the first serious benchmark. His 13:19 was a full 28 seconds quicker than anyone before him, and it earned him the hot seat.
Ethan Vernon came close to toppling Hoole, just two seconds slower, but the day’s first major turning point arrived when Filippo Ganna started his ride. Smooth in the Italian tricolore skinsuit, he went through the opening check a second down on Hoole but accelerated relentlessly in the final third. Passing his minute-man Timo Roosen on the way, he stopped the clock 19 seconds faster than Hoole and immediately set what looked an unbeatable standard.
A string of contenders tried but failed to get close. Mads Pedersen, Rémi Cavagna and Matteo Sobrero all faded on the long, fast run-in. Ivo Oliveira impressed by pacing his effort perfectly for a strong negative split, climbing to second on the standings, but still 11 seconds behind Ganna. Alec Segaert and Kelland O’Brien both delivered solid rides into the top five.
Attention then shifted to the GC riders. Juan Ayuso looked sharp out of the gate, seventh fastest at the opening check, but slowed to finish outside the top 10. Stefan Küng, the reigning European champion, produced the most serious threat to Ganna, going fastest at the second checkpoint before tiring late to finish a few seconds adrift.
Photo Credit: GettyJay Vine, resplendent in the polka-dot jersey, produced perhaps the surprise of the day. Known more for his climbing, he stormed through the time checks ahead of Ganna’s schedule and looked set to cause an upset, only to falter slightly in the final kilometre. His deficit was less than a second, the narrowest margin of the stage.
The final drama came with the red jersey contenders. João Almeida set off with a look of determination, one second off the fastest pace at the first check and three seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard at the second. By the finish he had gained 10 seconds on his Danish rival, cutting the overall gap to just 40 seconds. Vingegaard still looked controlled but ceded more than expected, finishing 18 seconds down on Ganna.
Behind them, Tom Pidcock held his nerve. The Briton is not known for time trialling, but he produced a measured effort that gained him seconds on Jai Hindley, consolidating his podium position. Hindley could not respond, finishing 20th on the stage and now with work to do to challenge for third overall. Giulio Pellizzari rode steadily to protect fifth place, though he lost more ground to Matthew Riccitello, who overtook Felix Gall for sixth.
When the dust settled, it was Ganna atop the stage podium, with Vine and Küng alongside him. Almeida had edged closer to the red jersey, setting up a tantalising showdown on Saturday’s mountain finish at Bola del Mundo.
2025 Vuelta a Espana Stage 18 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
