Mas arrives at Vuelta with no goal and two years since his last GC bid

Enric Mas has not contested a Grand Tour general classification in almost two years. He is in no rush to change the framing before Saturday's start in Monaco.

"The Giro didn't go well, last year I withdrew from the Vuelta and in the end I didn't fight for the overall," Mas told MARCA. "It's been almost two years since I've competed for the overall in a Grand Tour."

The 31-year-old comes to Spain off a Giro d'Italia debut that fell short of what Movistar wanted, at the end of a period disrupted by surgery on his left leg in October, a thrombophlebitis diagnosis and a hand injury from a training crash before the UAE Tour.

"It's simply the peace and quiet I'm experiencing. Getting to the Giro was tough after a long period without competing and not knowing how I was doing. Now the return leg is easier, I'm taking it easy."

He took the same position speaking to AS at the Vuelta a Burgos a fortnight ago, returning repeatedly to the phrase day by day.

"We have to see how we respond day by day, whether we lose 30 seconds one day, or 20, or gain 40. With the great team we have, we can do a lot, so I'm going to be cautious and see how I feel."

Mas has finished on the Vuelta podium four times and has six top-10s at the race. He puts the pull of it down to the crowds.

"The fans. Every time I race in Spain I feel their affection so much, it's something special. In fact, next year I'd love to do most of the races at home."

He shares leadership with Cian Uijtdebroeks, who was eighth on his Grand Tour debut at the 2023 Vuelta.

"Very good. The quality is enormous and I think he's prepared very well for La Vuelta. For me, having him by my side is extra motivation."

Nairo Quintana is not in the eight, and retires at the end of the season.

"It's something we've accepted since the beginning of the year because he already told us. In the end, it's a fact of life. When you reach a certain age, you think more about retirement and family. We have to thank him for everything he's given to the team over so many years. Since joining Movistar, he has performed at an extremely high level. He has won Grand Tours, week-long races, and has an incredible palmarès."

Movistar's wider problem is a run without Grand Tour victories.

"Last year in the Tour and the Vuelta we came close, and this year in the Tour we also nearly scored. We haven't been together long because of the presentations, but we're incredibly eager. It's time for us to win. It's time because of how long it's been since we last won, because of the team's history, and because we deserve it. Whoever wins doesn't matter, the important thing is that the team wins."

The UCI points that come with those results are a related concern, and Mas thinks there is time.

"It's clear that points are a reality. Two or three years ago we had a tough time until La Vuelta came along, but there's still plenty of time. We have the opportunity now during La Vuelta, the World Championships, the European Championships, and the Classics."

He has come round to the ranking system without much enthusiasm. "At first I didn't like it and I didn't pay any attention to the points system, but you have to adapt, that's the reality now. Before, when I joined Movistar, we were fighting for the team classification against Quick-Step or Bora. Now we have to think about not getting relegated, something that didn't even exist before."

Stage 4 into Andorra is a day that will sort the GC, 104 kilometres with 3,000 metres of climbing, and Mas knows the terrain.

"It's a very tough stage, short and with a lot of elevation gain. It's going to mark the start of La Vuelta. It's true that there are still some very important days to come, like stage 20, which is extremely difficult, but in Andorra we'll have to try not to make any mistakes."

On the heat: "I hope we have the warmth present every day and can enjoy it even when the thermometer reads 40 degrees."

Tadej Pogačar's presence is not something he objects to.

"For me, it's always a pleasure to race with him, it's a positive thing. We all know how he is. When he sets his mind to something, he usually gets it. If he wants to win 'X' stages, he'll do it. We have to focus on our own race and take advantage of the opportunities that come our way."