Enric Mas has effectively secured his victory in the Vuelta a España after enduring a punishing penultimate stage through the Sierra Nevada mountains. The 31-year-old rider for Movistar defended his position on the sun-baked slopes, refusing to yield during one of the race’s most demanding tests.
For the majority of the 186km stage, Mas remained grouped with his primary rivals: Primoz Roglic, Felix Gall, and Richard Carapaz. As the only competitors capable of challenging for the overall classification, their presence in the same group highlighted the high stakes of the day’s mountainous terrain.
Mas’s performance is significant not only for his personal achievement but also for Spanish cycling history. A win would make him the first home winner since Alberto Contador triumphed 12 years ago, ending a long drought for Spanish riders in the grand tour standings.
By surviving this brutal mountain test, the Movistar rider has all but guaranteed the red jersey, setting the stage for a climactic final day of the race.
History books will remember this win. A decade-long wait for home soil glory.
Great to see Movistar supporting him so well. The team strategy was perfect throughout.
Is the final stage going to be a flat time trial? If so, how much time can he really lose?
Sierra Nevada looks absolutely brutal. I can barely hike those trails. Mas is a beast.
Finally! A Spanish winner since Contador. This drought ends today. Viva España!