Enric Mas all but sealed overall victory at the Vuelta a España after protecting and even extending his lead on a punishing penultimate mountain stage in the Sierra Nevada. He is set to become the first Spanish winner since Alberto Contador.
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Key facts
- Enric Mas, 31, of Movistar is set to win the Vuelta a España overall.
- He survived the brutal 186km penultimate stage in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Mas held a 1min 37sec lead over Primoz Roglic after 19 stages and extended it at the finish.
- He would be the first Spanish winner since Alberto Contador in 2014.
Enric Mas all but secured overall victory in the Vuelta a España after surviving a brutal penultimate stage on the sun-baked slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, according to the Guardian.
The 31-year-old Movistar rider spent most of the 186km stage in a group alongside Primoz Roglic, Felix Gall and Richard Carapaz – the only men who could deny him the red jersey – and simply refused to crack.
Looking perfectly in control up the steep and winding final 9km climb to Collado del Alguacil, Mas comfortably protected the 1min 37sec advantage he had held over Roglic after 19 stages, the Guardian reported.
Not content with merely defending his position, Mas even stretched his lead at the finish, strengthening his grip on the general classification heading into the final stage.
Should he complete the job, Mas would become the first Spanish winner of the race since Alberto Contador in 2014, ending a 12-year wait for a home victor at his national tour.
The Guardian noted that Mas’s composure under pressure in one of the hardest tests of the race left him on the verge of the biggest triumph of his career.
Why it matters
A home victory would end a 12-year wait for a Spanish winner of the Vuelta a España, one of cycling's three Grand Tours. Mas holding off established rivals like Primoz Roglic marks a significant career milestone.
Frequently asked questions
Who is set to win the Vuelta a España?
Enric Mas, the 31-year-old Movistar rider, all but secured overall victory after protecting and extending his lead on the penultimate stage, according to the Guardian.
When was the last Spanish winner of the Vuelta?
Mas would be the first Spanish winner since Alberto Contador in 2014, a gap of 12 years.
What was Mas's lead over his rivals?
Mas held a 1min 37sec advantage over Primoz Roglic after 19 stages and even stretched his lead at the finish of the penultimate stage.
Timeline
- Enric Mas heads for Vuelta glory after protecting lead on penultimate stage
The Guardian Sport: Movistar rider refuses to crack in brutal mountain test Would be first home winner since Contador 12 years ago Enric Mas all but secured overall victory in the Vuelta a España when he survived a brutal penultimate stage on the sun-baked slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains
- Enric Mas heads for Vuelta glory after extending lead on penultimate stage
The Guardian Sport: Movistar rider refuses to crack in brutal mountain test Mas will be first Spanish winner since Contador in 2014 Enric Mas all but secured overall victory in the Vuelta a España when he survived a brutal penultimate stage on the sun-baked slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. T