Swiss time-trial specialist Stefan Küng crowned an exceptional performance by emerging as the Stefan Küng Vuelta stage 18 winner during a thrilling 32.1-kilometer Individual Time Trial between El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. The Tudor Pro Cycling Team rider clocked a blistering benchmark time of 35 minutes and 22 seconds, holding off a fierce challenge from young British rider Callum Thornley and UAE Team Emirates contender João Almeida. Meanwhile, the stage proved equally decisive for the general classification, as red jersey holder Enric Mas limited his losses to retain the overall lead against Primož Roglič.
Swiss Powerhouse Claims Masterclass Victory in Jerez
Executing a perfectly paced effort across the warm Andalusian course, Küng established his authority early at intermediate checkpoints before blasting across the finish line.
- Intermediate Pacing: Küng set an unmatchable benchmark of 12:20 at the first check (20.4 km) and held an 8-second cushion over key competitors heading into the technical final kilometers.
- Marginal Gains: The Tudor Pro Cycling rider defeated second-place finisher Callum Thornley by just 2 seconds, displaying maximum aerodynamic efficiency along the flat final stretch.
- Second Vuelta ITT Crown: The victory marks another milestone stage win for Küng at La Vuelta, highlighting his status among the world’s premier riders against the clock.
Stage 18 ITT Leaderboard & Top Finishers
The 32.1 km flat-to-rolling course rewarded pure power and precise cornering through Jerez. Here is how the top stage finishers performed:
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
| 1 | Stefan Küng | Tudor Pro Cycling | 35:22 |
| 2 | Callum Thornley | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | +02″ |
| 3 | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates | +09″ |
| 4 | Primož Roglič | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | +18″ |
| 5 | Wout van Aert | Visma | Lease a Bike | +19″ |
General Classification Drama: Mas Defends Red Jersey
While Küng celebrated stage glory, all eyes were on the general classification battle unfolding behind him.
Roglič Gains Ground
Four-time Vuelta champion Primož Roglič delivered a powerful ride, stopping the clock at 35:40 (+18 seconds behind Küng) to place fourth on the stage. Roglič used his time-trial prowess to move up into second overall on the general classification.
Enric Mas Limits Losses
Facing his least favored discipline, Spanish race leader Enric Mas (Movistar Team) produced a heroic defensive ride. Mas conceded just 33 seconds to Roglič, retaining a tight grip on the red jersey with three stages remaining.
GC Leaderboard Shift
- Félix Gall Drops: Austrian contender Félix Gall lost 1 minute and 27 seconds to Roglič, falling behind in the podium race.
- Harold Tejada Surges: Colombia’s Harold Tejada put in a career-best ITT effort to overtake Sepp Kuss and enter the provisional top 10 overall.
