Vuelta a Espana 2015: Stage 17 Results, Updated Standings and Highlights

Tom Dumoulin demolished the competition during the individual time trial on Wednesday, winning Stage 17 of the 2015 Vuelta a Espana with a time of 46 minutes and one second—over a minute faster than the next best rider.

The Dutchman easily overtook Fabio Aru and Joaquim Rodriguez in the standings, but the former managed to rally in the final sector and limit his losses, giving himself a chance to reclaim the red jersey in the final mountain stages.

Here's a look at Wednesday's results and the updated standings:

Fans and pundits alike had been looking forward to Wednesday's time trial for days, with Dumoulin expected to make up a lot of ground in the standings and perhaps even grab the red jersey.

Maciej Bodnar was the first rider to put down a really sharp time, finishing in 47:05, and with the wind picking up throughout the day, the Tinkoff-Saxo man had little to fear as he watched the other riders have a go at his time.

Cycling writer Mikkel Conde thought that even the top riders would struggle matching his effort:

"

Doubt even Dumoulin can beat Bodnar on this course now. Everybody is losing ground on the last 2 sections. Wind? Will take something special

— Mikkel Condé v2.0 (@mrconde) September 9, 2015"

The stage win was secondary on Wednesday, however. All eyes were on the favourites for the general classification, where Alejandro Valverde surprised everyone by blazing through the first section, going just two seconds slower than Bodnar.

The Spaniard hasn't been at his best during the Vuelta after an impressive showing in the Tour de France, but a big effort on Wednesday could have saved his chances of finishing in the top five.

Rafal Majka generated plenty of power in the flats, whereas Rodriguez looked uncomfortable on the time-trial bike, treating it as if it was a standard bike. Dumoulin's position was absolutely perfect, however, and the Dutchman flew through the first section.

VeloNews' Andrew Hood put it this way:

He was already nine seconds faster than the second-best man at the first split, gaining a full minute on Majka. Aru looked solid during the first section as well, putting 15 seconds between himself and Majka, while Rodriguez wasn't so lucky, losing well over a minute on Dumoulin.

With the wind playing a far bigger factor in the second and third sections, things weren't looking good for the Katusha man. Professional cyclist Chad Haga didn't like his or Majka's positions on the bike at all:

Valverde's fine ride continued to the finish line—despite the wind—clocking the second-best time, just four seconds slower than Bodnar. But there was simply no stopping Dumoulin. At the second split, he was already well over two minutes faster than Majka, with Aru and Rodriguez yet to pass.

The Italian managed to keep his losses under two minutes, but only just, while Vuelta leader Rodriguez was struggling to keep the gap under three minutes.

According to Cycling Weekly's Michael Hutchinson, Dumoulin was probably thinking only one thing:

Dumoulin pushed himself even harder in the final sector and wasn't affected by the wind as much thanks to his perfect position on the bike, recording a blistering time of 46:01. Aru somehow managed to gain time in the final sector, finishing 1:53 behind the Dutchman to keep the gap at the top of the standings close.

Aru's ride was more than just significant. He remains the better climber of the two, and with the penultimate stage of this year's Vuelta favouring the pure climbers, he suddenly looks like the favourite to win.

Cycling author Simon Warren agreed that the race is far from finished:

Rodriguez lost over three minutes and now has 1:15 seconds to make up in the standings, so the local favourite will need a massive performance and perhaps a minor miracle to win this year's Vuelta.

Speaking to Eurosport (h/t cycling commentator Jose Been), Dumoulin was over the moon he managed to grab the red, and he believes he has what it takes to survive the final mountain stages:

Thursday's stage looks perfect for another long break, with the Puerto de la Quesera not presenting enough of a challenge for the pure climbers to make the difference. With two more days of climbing ahead, expect the favourites for the red jersey to save their energy.

The final descent may present riders with the best opportunity to create a gap, so there should be plenty of fireworks inside the final 20 kilometres.

Rodriguez and Aru will both be eyeing Stage 20 toward Cercedilla to plan their assault on the top spot in the standings, and with the former needing to make up minutes, fans should be in for a sensational conclusion to this year's Vuelta.  

Follow @ReverschPass