Four days before the arrival in Madrid, the 18ᵉ stage of The return could play a decisive role in the general hierarchy. This Thursday in Valladolid, the runners will set off for an individual time trial of 23.4 kilometers on a globally flat but trashy course. A short bump of 700 meters at 5.6 %, placed from the sixth kilometer, will test their ability to relaunch before regaining a quick and rolling route until arrival. An exercise cut for specialists in solitary effort, but where the favorites in the general classification will also have to be up to par to defend or improve their position.
VIDEO – Jonas Vingegaard, red jersey of this Vuelta
The Vingegaard-Almeida duel, who will take the advantage?
The battle for the general classification will obviously be the highlight of the day. Start for the fight in the red jersey. Indeed, only 50 seconds separate Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) et JOAO ALMEIDA (UAE Team Emirates) and the final victory could therefore be largely played over the 23 kilometers around Valladolid. The duel for the podium between Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) and Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) will also be very interesting to follow, just like the one for the white jersey between Giulio Pellizzari (Red bull-bora-haansgrohe) et Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech).
In addition to Awesome et Almeidaall two excellent rollers, other runners will also have a chance of victory this Thursday. Starting with the double world champion for the exercise Filippo Ganna (Ineos grenadiers), but also Jay Vine, Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), Dan issue, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-trek), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike), From Secret (Lotto)…
The 18th stage journey
– Thursday September 11 – STEP 18 Valladolid – Valladolid
