cycling: Vuelta a Espana stage #19: Froome dominates the time trial

Cycling: Brit Chris Froome (Sky) proved today at the Vuelta a Espana that he is one of the best time trialists. He won the 37-kilometre circuit with a 44-second lead over Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar). Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) also had reason to celebrate, as he was able to oust Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) from third place in the overall standings. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) lost a lot of time, as did his compatriot Chaves, but was able to defend the overall lead.

Quintana has to survive 37 time trial kilometers

On the third to last stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2016, the remaining 161 riders had to complete a time trial over 37 kilometers. Already at 13:46 p.m., Svein Tuft (Orica-BikeExchange), the last in the overall standings, started the route from Xàbia to Calp and was the first to start. It wasn't until 16:50 p.m. that things got really exciting, because that's when Alberto Contador (Tinkoff), fourth in the overall standings, left the track and the fight for the podium places could really begin. At that time, his target Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) was 40 seconds ahead of Fredrik Ludvigsson (Giant-Alpecin). Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) enjoyed loud support on the starting ramp, as numerous Colombian fans stood at the side of the road with flags and jerseys. No wonder, after all, their two top drivers were in third and first place in the overall standings before the start.

Chris Froome drives like unleashed

Both Colombians, however, tend to be considered outsiders in the time trial. Her specialty is climbing and not the fight against the clock. It was clear before the start that Quintana would have to defend himself against Chris Froome (Sky) and Chaves against Contador. However, while Quintana held a solid lead of over three and a half minutes over Froome, Chaves had just a measly five second buffer over Contador. Accordingly, the first intermediate time after 12,5 kilometers was eagerly awaited. And as already expected, Froome and Contador were able to gain an enormous amount of time directly from their Colombian competitors. Not surprisingly, Froome set a new best time and immediately claimed the day's win. Although only a third of the distance had been covered, he already unbuttoned Quintana a whopping 46 seconds. Contador did a similarly good job, even taking 49 seconds off Chaves.

Humiliation for Esteban Chaves

The trend seemed clear: Contador is on his way to the Vuelta podium. Shortly after the first split, Chaves was even overtaken by Froome, who had started two minutes behind him. At that moment, the spectators could clearly perceive the difference in speeds. The Brit literally flew past the little Colombian, who a little later couldn't even see him anymore. When the second split time was taken at 24,3 km, the impression we had previously gained was reinforced even more: the two Colombians continued to lose time to their competitors. The stage win could hardly be stolen from Froome anyway, as he crossed that timer in a time 39 seconds quicker than previous leader Castroviejo.

Alberto Contador moves up to third - Froome wins the time trial

On the last few kilometers you could see from the two Colombians how much they had to suffer on their bikes today. Chris Froome slapped the winning time of 46:33 onto the tarmac. Nairo Quintana needed 37:2 minutes longer than the Brit for the 16-kilometre route and thus still has a lead of 1:21 minutes after today's time trial. For overall victory at the Vuelta a Espana, this lead should actually be just as sufficient as the distance to Esteban Chaves for Alberto Contador to be able to secure third place in Madrid. At the end of the day, the Spaniard was 1:16 minutes ahead of the Colombian and is now 1:11 minutes ahead of him in the overall classification.

Vuelta a Espana Stage #19 – The daily standings:

Vuelta a Espana Stage #19 – Overall standings: