Chris Froome claimed a resounding victory in the stage 19 time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, slashing the gap to the red jersey.

Froome threw caution to the wind, attacking a blustery 37-kilometre course to set a phenomenal winning time of 46 minutes and 33 seconds in Calp.

Quickest through every intermediate time check, that performance was enough to see him go 44 seconds quicker than nearest challenger Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar).

More significantly the Brit carved back 2:16 on race leader Nairo Quintana (Movistar), meaning that with one mountain stage to go he remains second overall, 1:21 back on the red jersey.

"I gave the time trial everything I had. I don't think there's much more I could have done today. I left it all out on the road," said Froome after the stage. "It's my last race of the year and I'm happy to still be in good condition.

"There's still one more really tough day of racing tomorrow. Let's see. Of course Quintana still has more than one minute of an advantage. We're going to keep fighting all the way.

"We'll see (what happens) tomorrow and I'll speak with my team-mates tonight. Quintana with Movistar has a really good team around him and it's going to be difficult to beat him."

Against the clock

Leopold Konig backed up the superb effort of his team leader with the sixth best time on the day, 1:51 back on Froome.

Admitting he wanted to honour the Czech national champs jersey, Konig told Eurosport the conditions played a big factor. He confirmed: "My front wheel slipped in the second corner because of the wind. I took it cautious and the wind played a big role. For the lighter riders it's very tough."

Quintana had headed down the ramp with a lead margin of 3:37, but quickly began to lose time. Froome took 46 seconds out of the red jersey at the first intermediate, followed by 1:33 at the second split.

On riding against the clock Froome added: "For sure you don't enjoy (riding a time trial), but you get a lot of satisfaction when you hear you're setting the fastest time. It's the whole reason you race - the feeling of going head to head with your rivals."