{
  "id": 6569190,
  "title": "Vuelta a España stage 18 individual time trial start times",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/vuelta-a-espana-stage-18-individual-time-trial-start-times",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T09:51:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cycling Weekly",
    "slug": "cycling-weekly",
    "url": "https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/vuelta-a-espana/vuelta-a-espana-stage-18-individual-time-trial-start-times"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Vuelta a España enters its critical phase on Thursday September 10th, with Stage 18's 32.1km individual time trial looming. This stage could potentially alter the race's outcome, being the final opportunity for title contenders or GC riders to showcase their abilities. It is also the last chance for specialized time trialists to secure a stage victory since the opening day in Monaco.\n\nTadej Pogačar, the initial stage favorite, is absent, leaving the door open for other contenders. Among the participants, Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step) and Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling) are notable time trial specialists. Meanwhile, riders like Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) aim to leverage their general classification skills.\n\nThe time trial will commence at 14:07 CEST, with Mathias Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) starting first. Riders will depart at one-minute intervals, with the final participant, Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility), leaving at 15:23 CEST. Notable riders to watch include Hayter, Küng, Andreas Leknessund, Wout van Aert, Roglič, and João Almeida.",
  "summary": "First rider down the start ramp at 2:07pm CEST, last rider at 4:55pm",
  "key_points": [
    "Stage 18 individual time trial on September 10th",
    "Ethan Hayter and Stefan Küng are time trial specialists",
    "Trial starts at 14:07 CEST, finishes at 15:23 CEST"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The absence of Tadej Pogačar from the individual time trial hands an opportunity to other contenders, particularly time trial specialists like Ethan Hayter and Stefan Küng, to secure a stage win or gain an advantage.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Cycling Weekly",
        "title": "Stefan Küng wins the individual time trial on stage 18 of Vuelta a España",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/stefan-kung-wins-the-individual-time-trial-on-stage-18-of-vuelta-a",
        "published": "2026-09-10T15:32:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Swiss Kung wins Vuelta stage 18, Mas retains healthy overall lead",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/swiss-kung-wins-vuelta-stage-18-mas-retains-healthy-overall-lead",
        "published": "2026-09-10T16:13:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Roglic closes gap on Mas in Vuelta time trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/roglic-closes-gap-on-mas-in-vuelta-time-trial-6619731",
        "published": "2026-09-10T16:46:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Roglic closes gap on Mas in Vuelta time trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/roglic-closes-gap-on-mas-in-vuelta-time-trial",
        "published": "2026-09-10T16:46:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}