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Posted: 2023-09-05 20:58:09

American rider Sepp Kuss has held onto the overall lead of the Vuelta a España despite finishing 13th in an individual time trial won by Filippo Ganna. 

Ganna picked up his first win in Spain as the Vuelta returned from a rest day to kick off its second week with a 25.8-kilometre race against the clock in Valladolid.

Ganna, an Italian rider from team Ineos Grenadiers, averaged 56 kilometres per hour to finish the stage in 27 minutes, 39 seconds.

Time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel of team Soudal Quick-Step was second, crossing the line 16 seconds behind Ganna.

"To be here is amazing," Ganna said.

"The course was really nice and we were also lucky with the weather."

Kuss, riding for team Jumbo-Visma, lost only 17 seconds to Marc Soler, who is second in the overall standings.

The gap between the two riders was at 26 seconds, with Evenepoel more than a minute off the lead after moving to third overall.

"I felt surprisingly relaxed," Kuss said. "It's only stage 10 and I knew there's still so much racing to come and I was just happy starting in the red jersey.

"It's the first time I've started last in a time trial, so it's the first time no-one passes me in a time trial. I just tried to keep it simple, enjoy the day and push as hard as possible on the pedals.

"It's still a good advantage, but with what's to come, one minute can be lost in one stage or even one climb,"

"There are beautiful stages coming and a lot can happen."

Evenepoel was the fastest of the riders contending in the general classification, but may rue missing a big chance to take time off his biggest rivals.

Remco Evenepoel in time trial position

Remco Evenepoel is the reigning world time trial champion, but could only finish second on the stage.(Getty Images: Alexander Hassenstein)

Last year's winner Evenepoel was just 20 seconds faster than Primož Roglič., while two-time reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard lost a minute.

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