The time trial (TT) is a unique cycling discipline where the riders use a time trial (TT) instead of their regular road bike to race.
There are three types of time trials held at the Vuelta Espana.
- Individual time trial (ITT). Riders ride solo along a course typically between 40 to 50km long (25 to 31 miles) and complete in under an hour.
- Prologue. Similar to an ITT, but under 10km (6.2 miles) long. The prologue usually takes place a day before Stage 1. This allows the riders to settle into the race before the hectic first week.
- Team time trial (TTT) is competed by the entire team. The riders will ride in each other’s slipstream to achieve the highest possible average speed. TTT is a beauty to watch when executed properly.
Fastest individual time trial (ITT)
Below are 19 of the fastest individual time trial times at Vuelta Espana with an average speed above 50km/h.
| Rider | Average speed (km/h) | Time | Distance (km) | Stage | Start / finish | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubén Plaza | 56.22 | 41′ 31″ | 38.9 | 20 | Guadalajara – Alcala de Henares | 2005 |
| Filippo Ganna | 55.99 | 27′ 39″ | 25.8 | 10 | Valladolid – Valladolid | 2023 |
| Samuel Sánchez | 54.09 | 22′ 11″ | 20.0 | 20 | Villalba | 2007 |
| Peter Velits | 52.36 | 52′ 43″ | 46.0 | 27 | Peñafiel | 2010 |
| Eddy Merckx | 52.35 | 12′ 2″ | 10.5 | 17b | Hernani – San Sebastián | 1973 |
| Ettore Pastorelli | 52.29 | 19′ 58″ | 17.4 | 1 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 1988 |
| Abraham Olano | 52.00 | 53′ 32″ | 46.4 | 6 | Salamanca | 1999 |
| Adriano Malori | 51.96 | 11′ 12″ | 9.7 | 21 | Santiago de Compostela | 2014 |
| Abraham Olano | 51.66 | 47′ 37″ | 41.0 | 7 | Salamanca | 1995 |
| Cabestany Pello Ruíz | 51.62 | 13′ 22″ | 11.5 | 1 | Benicassim | 1990 |
| Aitor González | 51.61 | 47′ 54″ | 41.2 | 21 | Warner Bros Park – Madrid | 2002 |
| Isidro Nozal | 51.54 | 1h 2′ 3″ | 53.3 | 13 | Albacete | 2003 |
| Bert Grabsch | 51.50 | 57′ 5″ | 49.0 | 8 | Cariñena – Zaragoza | 2007 |
| José Antonio González | 51.43 | 3′ 2″ | 2.6 | 11b | Bilbao | 1971 |
| Álvaro Pino | 51.33 | 25′ 43″ | 22.0 | 21 | Jerez de la Frontera | 1986 |
| Chris Froome | 51.32 | 47′ 0″ | 40.2 | 16 | Circuito de Navarra – Logroño | 2017 |
| Tony Rominger | 51.02 | 10′ 35″ | 9.0 | 1 | Valladolid | 1994 |
| Abraham Olano | 50.94 | 47′ 7″ | 40.0 | 9 | Alcudia | 1998 |
| Tyler Hamilton | 50.90 | 47′ 16″ | 40.1 | 8 | Almusafes | 2004 |
Fastest prologue (<10km)
Below are top five fastest prologue times at Vuelta Espana with an average speed above 50km/h.
| Rider | Average speed (km/h) | Time | Distance (km) | Start / finish | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Swerts | 56.60 | 5′ 18″ | 5.0 | Almería | 1974 |
| Fabian Cancellara | 54.00 | 5′ 20″ | 4.8 | Assen | 2009 |
| Abraham Olano | 53.50 | 7′ 51″ | 7.0 | Zaragoza | 1995 |
| Bert Oosterbosch | 52.36 | 6′ 25″ | 5.6 | Valladolid | 1985 |
| De Galdeano Igor González | 51.67 | 6′ 58″ | 6.0 | Murcia | 1999 |
Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.
He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.