Tom Dumoulin of Giant Alpecin has won the individual time trial at the 70th Vuelta a España.
The city of Burgos was the setting for the 38.7km seventeenth stage and saw Trek Factory Racing's Boy Van Poppel the first down the ramp.
However, it was Geminas Bagdonas who set the early fastest time time to beat of 49.22 before Maciej Bodnar finished in 47.05.
British rider Steve Cummings of MTN Qhubeka finished in a time of 47.32 to go provisionally third behind Vasil Kiryienka of Team Sky who was five seconds quicker.
Geraint Thomas of Team Sky finished 1.24 down on Bodnar's time but the favourite for the stage was Tom Dumoulin of Giant Alpecin and he flew through the course in a time of 46.01.
That left Rafal Majka, Fabio Aru and race leader Joaquim Rodriquez to finish.
Majka lost 2.38 to Dumoulin, finishing in 48.39, Aru finished in 47.54 and Joaquim Rodriquez of Katusha could only finish in 49.07 to see his hopes of winning the race dashed as Tom Dumoulin took not only the stage victory but the lead in the race by three seconds from Aru and now 1.15 from Rodriquez.
Fabio Aru said: "I am only three seconds behind and there is four stages to go. This Vuelta is not finished. I'll be saving my best until the end.
"It was difficult today but there are still some big days to come."
Dumoulin: "I felt good yesterday and today. I had a lot of confidence which suited me. To win by a minute is amazing and it is amazing that it worked out. I will celebrate with the team tonight and we will look at other days.
"It is possible that I can win the race. It is going to be very stressful. It is only three seconds. Who could have thought that i would be in the red jersey in the final week with two stage wins,
"I am starting to get to where I want to be in my career. I am getting better during the season and I think my future looks pretty bright. I don't know if I will fight for a GC win every year but I will enjoy today."
STAGE RESULT
Tom Dumoulin Team Giant-Alpecin 0:46:01
2 Maciej Bodnar Tinkoff-Saxo 0:01:04
3 Alejandro Valverde Movistar Team 0:01:08
4 Vasil Kiryienka Team Sky 0:01:31
5 Jerome Coppel IAM Cycling 0:01:32
6 Nairo Quintana Movistar Team 0:01:34
7 Romain Sicard Team Europcar 0:01:36
8 Nelson Oliveira Lampre-Merida 0:01:38
9 Steve Cummings MTN - Qhubeka 0:01:40
10 Fabio Aru Astana Pro Team 0:01:53