Looking for his best legs since the start of the Vuelta a España, Stefan Küng took advantage of his favorite exercise on Thursday to get back in the mix. In Valladolid, in a time trial reduced to just 12 kilometres, the Swiss rider was able to play a major role. After setting the best provisional time at the second check point, he ultimately lost eleven seconds to winner Filippo Ganna at the finish line. He still secured a solid sixth place in this 18th stage, while Rémi Cavagna finished 13th, twenty seconds behind the Italian, but only two behind the top ten.
The only individual time trial of the Vuelta a España took place on Thursday, but in conditions different from those initially anticipated. For safety reasons, the riders were no longer required to cover twenty-seven kilometers, but just a bit more than twelve, in the streets of Valladolid. “The route completely changed,” explained David Han. “There was supposed to be a small difficulty, which was no longer there. We had a slightly technical first section in town of about three kilometres, then a return trip on a large road. The outward journey was with a slight 3/4 headwind, and the return journey had a slight three-quarter tailwind. Above all, going from twenty-seven to just twelve kilometres brought a lot of people back into the game, and I think that was a slight disadvantage for Rémi and Stefan.” The Frenchman was the first of the two specialists to set off, shortly after 3 p.m., and took the provisional third time at the finish, after 13 minutes and 21 seconds of effort. “I gave it my all today, even though I may have lost 3-4 seconds in the early corners”, he said. “Then I rode well, pushed all the way to the finish line, and I really didn’t have a single moment of weakness. I can’t be disappointed. I’m quite satisfied.”
“It’s a step forward,” Stefan Küng
While Rémi Cavagna then lost a few positions, Stefan Küng made a strong impression by passing within the same second as the leader at the first intermediate checkpoint (km 4) and then setting the fastest time at the second checkpoint (km 8), three seconds ahead of Ganna. “I wanted to start fast to be able to compete for the win,” said the Swiss man. After the final part, he ultimately lost eleven seconds to his Italian rival, taking provisional third place. After the rest of the competition, including the overall favorites, covered the course, the former two-time European time trial champion eventually took sixth place, while Ganna secured the victory. “The Vuelta has been very difficult for me physically,” Stefan said. “I had Covid just before the Tour de Pologne, and it slowed down my preparation. Last year, I almost felt like I was flying in the Vuelta. This year, that was definitely not the case. I suffered a lot, but I fight every day because I’m a fighter, I love racing, and I felt like things were getting better in the last few days. I gave my best, a few guys were stronger, and I don’t have any regrets. It’s still a step forward”.
The Swiss rouleur still achieved his best result in this Vuelta, while Rémi Cavagna obtained thirteenth place, just two seconds from the top 10. “With one rider in the top five and two in the top ten, it would have been a good time trial, so we’re a bit disappointed,” added David. “That being said, Stefan and Rémi did a nice time trial. The level is high, there are also the GC riders as often, and even more so in the third week. After winning last year, and as a specialist, it’s a small disappointment for Stefan to finish sixth, but compared to the last few weeks, I think he was much better than in Poland, that he’s improving every day, and this time trial will do him good for the world and European championships. For the other five riders, the instruction was to do it properly, but while thinking about tomorrow as well. The stage might finish with a sprint, but it will also be exposed to the wind.”
