Roglic narrows gap on Mas after strong Vuelta time trial ride
Primoz Roglic finished fourth in stage 18's individual time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, moving into second overall and cutting leader Enric Mas's advantage to one minute 37 seconds. Switzerland's Stefan Kung won the stage.
Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic delivered a strong performance in stage 18's individual time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, finishing fourth and significantly closing the gap on overall leader Enric Mas of Spain.
Riding for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the four-time Vuelta champion covered the 32.5km course between El Puerto de Santa Maria and Jerez de la Frontera in 35 minutes and 41 seconds. The result lifted him into second place in the general classification, trimming Mas's lead to just one minute 37 seconds. Mas himself finished 12th on the stage.
Roglic's ride also saw him move ahead of Austria's Felix Gall in the overall standings, after Gall crossed the line in 25th place, 1:36 behind his rival for the podium.
The stage victory went to Switzerland's Stefan Kung, a recognised time trial specialist, who finished three seconds clear of Britain's Callum Thornley in second.
Fellow British rider Oscar Onley placed 17th on the stage, enough to keep him fifth overall and extend his advantage over Jacob Omrzel in the battle for the young rider's white jersey.
The race continues on Friday with a 205.1km stage from Velez-Malaga to Penas Blancas, followed by a 187km mountain stage on Saturday from La Calahorra to Collado del Alguacil. The Vuelta a Espana concludes on Sunday with a 99.4km stage in Granada, where 31-year-old Mas will be aiming to secure his first Grand Tour title.
