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BURGOS, Spain (AP) — Tom Dumoulin of Netherlands won the individual time-trial in the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday to reclaim the race leader's red jersey on the 17th stage.
The tall, 24-year-old Giant-Alpecin rider clocked 46 minutes, one second, over the 38.7 kilometer (24-mile) course in and around the northern city of Burgos. He beat Maciej Bodnar of Poland by one minute, 4 seconds, while Spain's Alejandro Valverde was third fastest, trailing by 1:08.
"I am very happy with how well this time trial went," Dumoulin said. "I am now a contender for the Vuelta, but the race in not over."
With four days of racing remaining, the overall standings are very close as Fabio Aru is just three seconds behind Dumoulin, while overnight leader Joaquin Rodriguez is now third overall and 1:15 off the pace.
Although the skies were overcast and some light rain coated parts of the road surface, making it potentially dangerous, Dumoulin was able to outpace all the other sprint specialists.
Dumoulin said he expected the hardest day to come would be Saturday's stage 20, a 175.8 kilometer (109.2 mile) mountainous ride from San Lorenzo de El Escorial to Cercedilla that includes four category 1 peaks.
Thursday's stage is a 204 kilometer (126.8 mile) mountainous ride from Roa to Riaza including the category 1 ascent up Puerto de la Quesera.
The 21-stage Vuelta ends with a ride into downtown Madrid on Sunday.
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