Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 21: Madrid - Madrid, 24.6k (ITT)

[Devil's Elbow]

For the first time since 2004, Madrid is used for a time trial rather than a parade stage, and while the GC is very much decided we still have a battle on our hands for the other podium places and maybe even the white jersey.

Wide roads, long straights and nothing steeper than a false flat - this TT is almost as straightforward as the one the race started with, only double the length. It starts from the headquarters of Telefónica, Movistar's parent company, and from there it's a fairly direct route into the city centre. The usual three-point circuit is partially used in the final kilometres, but in the opposite direction and finishing on Gran Vía rather than Paseo del Prado. This, too, is for sponsorship reasons: the finish is now in front of the former Telefónica headquarters, currently used for exhibitions.

~Fin~

 

[Potomac]

Will any top 10 GC positions change?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Will any top 10 GC positions change?

I would say that both Mas and Skjelmose are odds-on to move up a spot.

 

[Miha81]

Will any top 10 GC positions change?

O'Connor and Mas are 9s apart for 2nd. Skjelmose can find 30s on Gaudu for 5th.

 

[Netserk]

 

[Red Rick]

Thanks for the stage threads @Devil's Elbow.

 

[Scarponi]

Bookies have McNulty, Kung and Roglic as top 3 favourites in Australia

 

[ice&fire]

Wide roads, long straights and nothing steeper than a false flat - this TT is almost as straightforward as the one the race started with, only double the length. It starts from the headquarters of Telefónica, Movistar's parent company, and from there it's a fairly direct route into the city centre. The usual three-point circuit is partially used in the final kilometres, but in the opposite direction and finishing on Gran Vía rather than Paseo del Prado. This, too, is for sponsorship reasons: the finish is now in front of the former Telefónica headquarters, currently used for exhibitions.

~Fin~

Telefónica is celebrating the company's 100th anniversary.

 

[Red Rick]

Surely it's just McNulty vs Kung vs Vacek?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Surely it's just McNulty vs Kung vs Vacek?

Wouldn't rule out Affini either on a route like this.

 

[zlev11]

also Campenaerts, he finished dead last today

 

[Izzyeviel]

O'Connor to put 2.01 minutes into Roglic.

 

[tobydawq]

I really hope Küng will finally get his Grand Tour stage.

If Chad Haga and Matteo Sobrero could get one, surely he can too!

 

[Invicituz]

Possibly another TT victory for Brandon McNulty.

 

[Cookster15]

A day for specialists. For GC, Roglic has the Vuelta sewn up and should increase his winning margin on this stage. Ben O'Conner has his work cut out to stay 2nd ahead of Mas. But it isn't impossible. Unlikely Carapaz can snatch a podium at +58'.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

yes, a Campenarts win would add significantly to this Vuelta. Barring a major incident, the red jersey belongs to Roglic, but the battle for 2nd could be really great. And then we have the trash talking juveniles fighting over the white jersey. Looking forward to it.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

@debil elbows thanks for the stages profiles and analysis

 

[Lequack]

O'Connor vs Mas timetrials which the both raced

 

[Lequack]

Also, where do you folks think Almeida would end up on the GC if he didn't get sick?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Also, where do you folks think Almeida would end up on the GC if he didn't get sick?

Quite possibly second, if he had been at worst where Carapaz is right now he would have been favoured to make it there tomorrow.

 

[Samamba]

also Campenaerts, he finished dead last today

He was sick. So him being last could also mean he's still not feeling good, like 2 days ago when he finished really far.

 

[zlev11]

He was sick. So him being last could also mean he's still not feeling good, like 2 days ago when he finished really far.

ah damn that stinks. i assumed he was saving as much energy as possible.

 

[Samamba]

ah damn that stinks. i assumed he was saving as much energy as possible.

Maybe it was today not sure, but he was sick 2 days ago so it could also definitely just him not feeling well. But hopefully it's indeed just saving energy and he can do a good TT tomorrow. Doubt he'll be able to win tho, he hasn't had his Tour legs this Vuelta. His first TT was also bad.

 

[jmdirt]

Nice race ED!

 

[jmdirt]

The TT could have some excitement tomorrow?