Tobias Ludvigsson had made today's time trial a big goal in the Vuelta a Espana. The Swede was targeting a top 10 but had to settle for 20th.

Tobias Ludvigsson was the fastest of the Team Giant-Shimano riders on the tenth stage individual time trial at the Vuelta a España, covering the 36.7km course in a time of 49’04″ to finish 20th.

Sitting in tenth going into the stage, Warren Barguil finished the day in 56th position, 3’27″ down on stage winner Tony Martin (Omega Pharma – Quickstep) slipping out of the top ten in the process.

The tenth stage was one that was always going to be a case of damage limitation for Barguil, but also one that Ludvigsson had an eye on performing well on. Barguil came through the first intermediate time check 1’50″ down after 11km but then levelled out and managed his effort to pick up some places before the end.

Ludvigsson rode a consistent effort, coming through the first time check in 17th, the second in 21st and then eventually finishing the stage in 20th.

Behind these two the rest of the team rode conserved races to not leave too much out on the road, but a time trial is never easy.

The race leader coming into the stage, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) crashed on his effort and conceded the lead to Alberto Contador (Tinkoff – Saxo) who now sits 4’11″ ahead of Barguil who dropped five places to 15th overall.

After the stage Ludvigsson said: “It was an OK time trial for me today but still not quite perfect, I approached the race hoping for a top ten but this will come I hope. There’s still another time trial here to look towards. It was very warm out there again, but in general the feelings are quite good looking ahead.”

Coach Lionel Marie added: “It wasn’t an easy time trial today but Warren and Tobias did well. We analysed the course before with Adriaan and made a good plan. Warren was lacking some speed on the power sections but rode the descents well and was fast at the end.

“He is still in a good position on GC in 15th and can make up some time on the climbs as he’s getting stronger day by day.”