Stefan Küng Wins Stage 18 Time Trial of Vuelta a España

In the stage 18 time trial of the Vuelta a España, Stefan Küng from Tudor Pro Cycling secured victory with a time of 35:22 over the flat 32.1 km course, defeating Callum Thornley from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe by a mere three seconds. João Almeida of UAE Team Emirates took the third podium spot, while the real drama lay in the general classification battle that unfolded as the race neared its conclusion.

Enric Mas of Movistar, leading the general classification by 2:06 over Felix Gall from Decathlon CMA CGM and 2:10 over Primož Roglič from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, delivered an impressive performance. Mas finished 1:37 ahead of Roglič, who ended up placing fourth—18 seconds behind Küng and ahead of Wout van Aert from Visma-Lease a Bike. Although he was not at his best, resembling his former Olympic-winning days, Roglič still put forth a strong effort.

Mas entered the time trial with a favorable lead and managed to exceed expectations, finishing 12th overall despite an anticipated loss of time. He had hoped for a concession of 90 seconds, but achieved only a 33-second loss to Roglič, reinforcing his successful defense of the red jersey.

The time trial linked the two cities of El Puerto de Santa Maria and Jerez de la Frontera, known as the ‘Sherry Triangle,’ featuring gentle inclines and a predominately tailwind shifting to a headwind during the latter kilometers.

Küng's victory marked a significant milestone in his career, following his first Grand Tour stage win at the 2024 Vuelta. This latest performance highlighted his excellence in time trials, as he expertly navigated descents and corners throughout the course, narrowly avoiding mishaps. Thornley, occupying the hotseat earlier in the day, finished strong, showcasing his potential as he continues his debut season in the WorldTour.

Thornley finished just two seconds behind Küng, while Almeida regained form with a strong third-place finish. Disappointment fell for Ethan Hayter from Soudal-QuickStep, who only managed a ninth-place result after a close call in the opening prologue. Meanwhile, Wout van Aert delivered a competitive performance but could only secure fifth place, failing to meet the expectations set by his earlier outings in the season.

Küng celebrated his success, acknowledging that winning is paramount regardless of the time margin, reiterating his enjoyment of this victory as he adds to his total of 24 wins.