Stage 10 of La Vuelta a España 2023 was a 25.8-kilometer individual time trial from Valladolid to Valladolid in northwestern Spain – the one and only individual time trial of this year’s Vuelta. Aside from a minor bump early in the route, the route profile was flat and fast – an attractive route for time trial specialists.

European time trial champion Stefan Bissegger set an early fastest time for Team EF Education-EasyPost (14:46 minutes) and entered the hotseat where he was seen enjoying a mexican wrap and a drink. The day and victory, however, were not yet wrapped up.

Meanwhile, Team Jumbo-Visma’s Dylan van Baarle was setting clocking fast times at the intermediate timing points on the route.

Italian National Time Trial Champion Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) started his time trial and he appeared to be having a strong day in the saddle. His Ineos-Grenadiers team was in dire need of success in La Vuelta because of Geraint Thomas’ unfortunate time loss in the general classification following a crash early in the Vuelta.

Ganna crossed the finish line in the fastest time and replaced Bissegger in the hotseat. Ganna’s time was 32 seconds faster than Bissegger.

Next riders to leave the start ramp included fast riders such as Jonathaan Castroviejo (Ineos-Grenadiers), Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates), and Nelson Oliveira (Movistar Team). Their times at the intermediate timing points were, however, slower than those of Ganna and Bissegger.

Oliveira managed to beat Bissegger’s time at the finish and was now ranked second behind leader Ganna.

Welshman Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) started his time trial. While arriving at the start of this year’s Vuelta a Espana as one of the favorites to compete for the overall race victory, he was now 12:34 minutes behind Vuelta race leader Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) – not least because of a crash in the early parts of the 2023 Vuelta. To make matters even worse, he suffered a flat or a mechanical during today’s time trial.

Soudal-QuickStep’s Mattia Cattaneo initiated his time trial effort and hat a brilliant day on his time trial bike. The Italian rider impressed by setting the next best times at both intermediate timing point one and two.

Thomas finished ninth in the preliminary rankings, more than two minutes slower than teammate Ganna.

Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) set out on his time trial journey. The Spaniard was faster than Remco Evenepoel in this year’s Tour de Suisse. Would he be faster than the Belgian in today’s time trial?

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) set out on their individual time trial journeys. 

Race leader Sepp Kuss (USA) started his time trial. Would he be able to defend his general classification lead even though he wasn’t known for his great time trial skills?

Ayuso was seventh-fastest at intermediate timing point 1 (ITP1). Roglic was second fastest, approximately eleven seconds behind Ganna. Evenepoel was one second slower than Roglic, while Vingegaard was twenty-five seconds slower than the stage leader.

At Intermediate Timing Point 2 (ITP2) Roglic was second fastest, 28 seconds behind Ganna. Vingegaard was eighth, 55 seconds behind the Italian stage leader.

When reaching the finish line, Vingegaard was seventh best, though several riders were yet to finish. Roglic finished second best, 36 seconds behind stage leader Ganna.

But Evenepoel was yet to finish, and he replaced Roglic as second best in today’s time trial.

Frenchman Lenny Martinez fought well and finished 28th. He lost valuable time, but it was an impressive effort from the leader of the best young rider classification.

Vuelta a Espana general classification leader Sepp Kuss powered on towards the finish line in his red aero suit. Paired with the yellow jersey the American rider was flying the colors of the Spanish national flag in beautiful fashion.

Kuss finished thirteenth, 01:29 minutes slower than Ganna, who won today’s time trial.

Following today’s stage 10 individual time trial, Kuss remains general classification leader.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for additional news and coverage from La Vuelta a Espana 2023.

Support Roadcycling.com by visiting Wiggle (EU/UK) and Competitive Cyclist (USA) to buy bikes, cycling equipment and apparel. Take advantage of the great sale offers now and get the bike gear you need to make this your best season ever.