Viral Mas photo ignites Vuelta debate as Roglic camp warns: 'This is not new'

Images from the time trial on stage 18 of the Vuelta a España have sparked debate over motorbike positioning, with Primož Roglič’s sports director Sven Vanthourenhout stating that the topic is “not new”.

The first photo shows Enric Mas with two motorbikes riding a short distance ahead of him and a convoy behind.  

In a separate image on the same section of the course, Roglič is shown with the motorbikes at a greater distance ahead, with the vehicles behind him also at a greater distance. 

Vanthourenhout acknowledged that the still images lack context, but admitted that the issue had been something that had concerned the riders before the time trial. 

“That photo isn’t new to me, no. It’s a snapshot, but it’s something I don’t like to see and something I wouldn’t expect to happen in 2026,” Vanthourenhout told Sporza. 

“It’s not a pleasant sight. It was something some riders were already worried about beforehand. That’s when I explicitly stated that we could only focus on ourselves and the things within our control.”

He suggested that it has been a prevalent issue throughout the Vuelta and a recurring talking point within the peloton.

“This is a major talking point among the riders; throughout this Vuelta, the issue of motorbikes deciding race situations has come up constantly.”

At the end of the 32.1km effort to Jerez de la Frontera, Roglič managed to take back 33 seconds on Mas, reducing his deficit overall to 1:37. Nonetheless, it was a positive outcome for the race leader, who moved one step closer to overall victory on Sunday in Granada.

Despite his concerns, Vanthourenhout was keen not to make Mas the focus of his criticism and praised the performance of the race leader so far during this Vuelta. 

“I’m not going to focus on Mas, though, because he’s simply taking advantage of the situation. That’s only logical. One of our riders would do the same.”

“I also want to emphasise that we are seeing a super-strong Mas today,” he said. “If he goes on to win the Vuelta, he’ll have earned it himself. He’s in great form, perhaps the best version of Mas we’ve ever seen.”

Roglič’s teammate Gianni Vermeersch also felt the photograph was taking attention away from the impressive performance of Mas. 

“I just think it’s a shame. A photo like that only detracts from the great performance Mas put in yesterday. He rode a really impressive time trial, yet people are quick to criticise on Twitter (X) now.”

Vanthourenhout nevertheless called for greater attention to the issue of motorbike positioning. 

“But we really need to pay more attention to what the motorbikes are doing and where they’re positioned at certain moments. Because this isn’t new in cycling.”