The first timed trial of this Vuelta edition departs from and arrives to the Ciudad Real end line. The route runs along a virtually flat stretch that timed trials specialists can use to advantage for going up in the general ranking and build up some advantage for next mountain climbing stages.

Ciudad Real hosted for the first time Spain’s Vuelta in 1974, as a stage arrival and departing site. Over thirty-two years went by until, in 2006, a stage ran again over its streets. For José Luis Arrieta, bearing number 1 in his shirt’s back, during 2007 Vuelta that was his best moment, ever.