All National Federations were allowed to enter four riders for the race, with a maximum of two riders to start. In addition to this number, the outgoing World Champion and the current continental champions were also able to take part.[4]
The initial plan was to have a time trial finishing uphill. This idea was discarded because it was required to have two finish sections which was not possible from a logistical and financial point of view.[5]
The length of the individual time trial was 47.10 km (29.27 mi). The time trial started in the centre of Ponferrada and passed through La Martina, Posada del Bierzo and Carracedelo before returning to Ponferrada. A short stretch before riding into Ponferrada was made for the championships. The total elevation over the elite men's course was 458 m (1,503 ft) with a few hills in the last 15 km (9.3 mi) with a maximum inclination of 10%. The course started with a flat section of 30 km (19 mi) through the valley of Bierzo, before the parcours rose slightly. In a little under 10 km (6.2 mi) the riders rose from 550 m (1,800 ft) to an altitude of 700 m (2,300 ft). The ascent overlapped partly with the road race for men, which meant that the steepest part had a negative gradient of 16%. After 40 km (25 mi) there was another climb; in a few kilometres the riders reached the highest point in the route, located at 709 m (2,326 ft) after 43 km (27 mi), before a downhill run to the finish.