OFFICIAL: Vuelta a Espana cuts down time-trial to a mere 12 kilometers in fear of protestor effects

The Vuelta a España 2025 is proving to be very complicated to deal with the pro-Palestinian protests. The presence of the Israel - Premier Tech team is causing numerous demonstrations during the stages and for several days it was already known that there were organized movements set for the time-trial in Valladolid. Before the riders even set off the changes have been made. The riders will only race 12 kilometers.

For this reason, the organization of La Vuelta has just made official that the time trial has been shortened from 27.2 kilometers to only 12.2. That is, 15 kilometers less time trial. The differences in the general classification will be even smaller than expected. With only 12 kilometers of individual time-trialing, it is also likely to be the Grand Tour with the smallest number in the sport's history.

The Vuelta a España's press release states the following: "With the aim of giving greater protection to the development of the stage, the organization of La Vuelta, in coordination with the City Council of Valladolid and after consultation with the College of Commissaires, has decided that tomorrow's time trial stage will be contested over a 12.2 kilometer route, maintaining the start and finish initially planned."

In a 12.2-kilometer time trial, Joao Almeida's chances of taking those 50 seconds off Jonas Vingegaard will be virtually impossible, and any gaps for the GC contenders will be minimal. It seems impossible for the Portuguese rider to come away with the red jersey on such a short course. The fans, and the two of them, will then have to wait to resolve practically everything on stage 20 of the Bola del Mundo, if it is not also modified by the protests - which seems like a very real scenario at this point in time.

On the other hand, the pure time trialists also suffer from the news: Filippo Ganna, Daan Hoole.... In a longer time trial, the legs and fatigue take their toll on the riders. But with 12.2 kilometers, there is more room for surprises. Other lesser contenders could grab one of the last stage victories at stake.

But what is really important is the situation of the Vuelta a España. The feeling is one of increasing uncertainty, and at the moment there is no assurance that the edition can finish with stage 21 in Madrid. For now, Javier Guillén, the race director, has consistently conveyed the intention to go all the way to the finish.