Four days before the arrival in Madrid, the 18ᵉ stage of The return could play (or not) a decisive role in the general hierarchy. Because this Thursday in Valladolid, the runners will finally set off for an individual time trial of 12.2 km for security reasons instead of the 27.2 km initially planned. The time was finally reduced by more than half to “security reasons“linked to very important pro-Palestinian demonstrations since the start of this Tour of Spain 2025.
VIDEO – Jonas Vingegaard, red jersey of this Vuelta
12.2 Small kilimoers to “ensure better protection”
“In order to ensure better protection of the stage, the organization of the Vuelta, in coordination with the municipal council of Valladolid and after consultation with the college of commissioners, decided that the counter-montre stage of tomorrow (THURSDAY) will compete on a 12.2 km route, with the departure and arrival at the premises initially planned “the organizers announced in a press release.
So 12.2 kilometers on a globally flat course. 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.
? #LaVuelta25 pic.twitter.com/qov8xMZ3lN
– The return (@lavuelta) September 10, 2025
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
