'Attack might be the best defence' - Mas to the fore in nervous Vuelta finale

Every day is a potential GC day on the Vuelta a España and race leader Enric Mas (Movistar) was wise to the danger of splits on the Puerto de Socovos in the finale of stage 10 to Elche de la Sierra.

Mas was prominent towards the head of the peloton when dangermen like Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and Sepp Kuss (Visma Lease a Bike) came to the fore on the ascent.

The Spaniard finished safely with his fellow GC contenders to retain his lead atop the overall standings, 1:18 ahead of Primoz Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and 1:39 up on Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM).

“It might be that attack is the best defence, but I have an advantage and I think it’s my rivals who need to close the gap – not just on me, but on the others too,” Mas said in his post-stage press conference. “I’ll try to stay with the best and carry on as I have been.”

Mas inherited the overall leader from Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) when the world champion crashed out of the Vuelta on stage 8 to Xeraco, and he made an immediate impression in the red jersey, winning atop the Alto de Aitana the following day.

“Wearing the red jersey is something very special and wonderful,” Mas said. “It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before. I hope to enjoy every second of what’s happening to me in these days.”

On Monday’s rest day, Mas insisted that he was “not afraid” of winning the Vuelta after placing on the podium four times during his career up to now, but he confessed to a “healthy” degree of nervousness about defending his lead.

“I’m always nervous,” Mas said. “In sport, anything can happen at any moment, especially in cycling. That healthy nervousness is always there.”

Mas will be vigilant on stage 11 to Lorca, which should suit the sprinters, before the GC men return to the fore with a summit finish at Calar Alto on Thursday.

“We can’t let our guard down because one of the favourites is bound to try to seize their chance,” Mas said.

Speaking to AS, Movistar sports director Chente García Acosta acknowledged that Mas’ unexpected maillot rojo had changed his team’s approach to the Vuelta. 

Although Mas and the since-abandoned Cian Uijtdebroeks set out from Monaco with GC aspirations, Movistar had also planned to chase stage victories across the three weeks. With Mas now in the lead, their focus has shifted decisively to the GC battle.

“Now, with this situation, breakaways take a back seat,” García Acosta told AS. “It’s time to defend Enric’s red jersey with everything we’ve got. It’s a situation we dreamed of, and the team is incredibly united. That makes a huge difference.”