Filippo Ganna stormed to the stage win on the 18th stage time trial at La Vuelta a Espana.
With the stage being reduced to just 12km, Ganna powered to a blistering time of 13:00.89 minutes, averaging 63km per hour in the final four kilometres.
The Italian national champion crossed the line 19 seconds faster than Dan Hoole (Lidl-Trek) who had been in the hot seat.
Having been the 17th starter of the day, Ganna held onto the hot seat for the rest of the stage, with Jai Vine (UAE Emirates - XRG) only able to raise tensions, ultimately finishing just one second back.
Speaking after his victory, Ganna said:
“I think I suffered more in the last few hours in the hot seat! The first part of the ride, I couldn’t find a comfortable rhythm and then in the final bit, I pushed without thinking of the numbers and just went off feel. I’m really happy with today.
“I just tried to do the best today. The first half, I took a corner a bit too aggressively, so then I tried not to take too many risks in the second half.
“After the Tour de France and the crash, it wasn’t easy and I wanted to come back fighting. Every time I’m on the bike, I try to do my best and I want to be in the best condition. I came into today suffering after two weeks of the Vuelta, with a lot of climbing in the legs. When you’re 85 kilos it’s not easy to be climbing that much!”