Quintana had expressed the need to have built a substantial lead over the Tour de France winner prior to the time trial and his view proved an accurate one, with his general classification rival reigniting what appeared to be a fading challenge.

After the first intermediate time check, located at 12.5 kilometres into the 37km course from Xabia to Calp, Froome posted the fastest time and clawed back 46 seconds on Quintana.

His strong performance was further emphasised when he caught Colombia’s Esteban Chaves, who began two minutes ahead of Froome, due to being third on the general classification.

Froome continued to press on in the closing half of the route, with the Team Sky rider coming cross the line in a time of 46min 33sec.

His effort saw him comfortably win his second stage of this year’s race, which is part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour.

Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo, fourth at the Olympic Games, was the only rider to finish within one minute of Froome’s time, ending 44 seconds off the pace.

Quintana eventually lose 2:16 to Froome, while podium contenders Alberto Contador of Spain and Chaves were 1:57 and 3:13 down respectively.

Froome will need a similarly impressive day tomorrow, despite cutting heavily into Quintana’s advantage, with the 193km mountain stage from Benidorm to Alto de Aitana providing a final chance to gain time.

He will need to make up 1:21 on the Colombian, but now holds a comfortable advantage over third place Contador in the overall standings.

The Spaniard, winner of the Vuelta on every occasion he has ridden the race to date, is 3:43 down on Quintana.

Chaves hopes of a podium finish now look distant as he is over a minute behind Contador.

Following tomorrow’s mountain stage, the race is due to conclude on Sunday (September 11) with a 104km sprinters stage from Las Rozas to Madrid.