Several riders and sports directors spoke to Lavuelta.com before the start of the time trial. Below you can read what they had to say.

Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha, red jersey holder) : "The reality is that it is already a tough TT and we’re up against one of the best time trial riders in the world. It is clear that Dumoulin is the favourite for this time trial. We will see how he has recuperated and it is the first time that he is in this situation where he has a big opportunity (to win a grand tour). It will not be easy to manage this situation."

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo): “I haven’t done an individual time trial in two months but I have to go full gas for my team. 40 flat kilometers against the clock - it’s going to be very tough and surely we will see some changes in the GC.”

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) : "After  this time trial we will know a bit more about my chances for the final GC. Even if my time trial is really good, there will be three hard days to go.”

Christian Guiberteau (Giant-Alpecin sports director): “It is an important day even if the mountain stages were equally important since Tom Dumoulin had to limit the losses. Until last night he has not talked about the time trial. It’s a bit new for him because for the first time in a grand tour he did not have the luxury to prepare for the TT the previous days, he could not ease up a bit ahead of the TT. He’s not stressed out. He knows how to get into a time trial, he knows the drill. What he’s done in this Vuelta is already outstanding.”

Nairo Quintana (Movistar): “I think that it will be relatively even among the riders of the top 10 at the exception of Valverde and Dumoulin, especially the Dutchman as he is a TT specialist. We will see if there are surprises.”

Neil Stephens (Orica GreenEDGE sports director): “There will be some time differences. The fact that it comes in the third week of hard racing in the Vuelta will be a factor.”

Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) : « It’s not easy to breathe but it’s only pain and I will manage. But I’m not pleased as I wanted to do my best in the time trial. However, I am ready to push the limits to give everything I have on this time trial and get a good result. »

Yvon Ledanois (BMC Racing sports director): “They will ride this time trial with what they have left in the tank. It’s a day for the GC guys and the TT specialists, which will be looking to get a good result ahead of the world championships. It will greatly depend on the form of the moment.”

Jerome Coppel (IAM): “I’ve had the world championships in the abck of my mind since the beginning of the Vuelta and the Burgos time trial, even if it’s a bit too flat for me, is a test. I have good legs, I worked well.”

Maxime Bouet (Etixx-Quick Step): “At the beginning of the Vuelta I emailed Bernard Bourreau to tell him I was a candidate for a spot in the French team for the world championships. He told me I was not in. I regret that he did not take the form of the moment into consideration but I will do everything to ride a very good time trial. For myself, because I have very good sensation and because I like this discipline, but also to show that my request made sense.”