Tom Dumoulin of The Netherlands seized the initiative and the Vuelta a Espana's red jersey with a potentially decisive victory on Wednesday's 17th stage time-trial in Burgos.
Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) clocked 46 minutes 01 seconds in the 38.7-kilometre test against the clock to win by 1 minute 04 seconds from Poland's Maciej Bodnar (Tinkoff- Saxo), with Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) four seconds further back.
The more significant movement was in the general classification, where Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), the red jersey incumbent, conceded more than three minutes to the Dutchman.
Fabio Aru (Astana) showed great determination to stay within three seconds of Dumoulin despite conceding 1:53 on the stage.
Italian Aru was 10th on the stage in 47:54 and Spaniard Rodriguez was 30th in 49:07.
With no summit finishes remaining until Sunday’s concluding stage to Madrid, it remains to be seen if Aru can wrestle the red jersey from Dumoulin.
A fascinating conclusion to the race is in prospect as Dumoulin seeks a momentous moment for Dutch cycling.
It is 35 years since a Dutchman won a Grand Tour, when Joop Zoetemelk won the 1980 Tour de France. He also won the 1979 Vuelta.
Nicolas Roche came home in 49th position, 3:44 adrift of Dumoulin, and he remains in 30th position overall.
