'I've had my share of setbacks' - Mas 'cautious' on Vuelta chances despite Aitana glory

Mas inherited the maillot rojo when Pogačar crashed out of the Vuelta on Saturday, and the Movistar man enjoyed a perfect first day in the jersey here, outsprinting Oscar Onley (Netcompany-Ineos) atop the Aitana to claim stage victory and extend his lead atop the overall standings.

Asked if this was the best moment of form and confidence in his career, Mas paused for a beat before responding. “I think so, I think so,” said Mas.

As the Vuelta breaks for its first rest day, Mas leads Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) by 1:18 in the overall standings, with Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) third at 1:39 and Onley fourth at 2:20.

Mas has never been in this position before, and he struck a cautious note when asked what he might achieve from here to Granada on September 13, mindful that this Vuelta is still long. The canny Roglič, for instance, limited his losses here, and he will expect to make gains in the Jerez time trial in the final week.

“Well, to be honest, I’m very cautious because I’ve had my fair share of setbacks throughout my career and we have to take it one day at a time,” Mas said. “But as you said, I think it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my entire career.”

Decathlon CMA CGM set a rasping pace on the lower slopes of the Alto de Aitana that whittled down the red jersey group, but when Gregor Mühlberger swung off with 7.5km to go, Gall’s attack was unable to shake off Mas and the other podium contenders.

Mas responded smartly to the attacks and counterattacks that followed, before launching an effort of his own with 3km to go. Onley and later Roglič came across, but Mas burned off the Slovenian with another acceleration inside the final 2km.

In the sprint for the stage win, Mas led from the front, and he had the strength to hold off Onley and claim the spoils. He gained a dozen seconds on Roglič, 18 on Gall and 54 on Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).

“You saw the team, I think we were 10/10 in everything, from yesterday even until now,” Mas said. “I think the team did 10/10 work. We were very calm all the time, and I think we controlled the situation very, very well, and I felt very good in the final. And I have to thank the help of the directors too, for keeping me informed at every moment about how the others were faring, which is why I was able to win.”

This was Mas’ first victory at the Vuelta since he won in Andorra en route to his first podium finish back in 2018. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.

“It wasn’t that common for a young 23-year-old rider to make the podium back then,” Mas said. “And now, well, the truth is I’m in a really good place and I’ve got to enjoy it.”

On Saturday evening, Mas had declined to wear the red jersey out of respect for the fallen Pogačar, who had led him by 3:50 in the overall standings before he crashed out of the race. He will feel altogether more comfortable in the maillot rojo now.

“I wore it with pride,” Mas said. “After everything that happened yesterday, we spoke as a team and we just had to turn the page, even if it’s a shame for the sport that the best rider in history had to leave the race in this way.”