Vuelta leader Mas and Ayuso reportedly set for co leadership at 2026 Worlds

Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) and Enric Mas (Movistar) are set to lead the Spanish national team at the 2026 UCI road race World Championships in Montréal, Canada, according to AS. 

Mas, who is currently leading the Vuelta a España on the first rest day after winning in the red jersey on the Alto de Aitana on Sunday, has raced the elite men’s road race at the world championships three times previously. 

His best performance was his most recent appearance in 2024, where he finished 8th in Zürich, 1:01 behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Mas missed the 2025 edition in Rwanda due to the birth of his child.

Following Pogačar’s crash and subsequent withdrawal from the Vuelta, the world champion’s defence of the rainbow jersey is in serious doubt, with the road race just four weeks away on September 27. 

Despite Pogačar’s entourage not entirely ruling out the Worlds, the race could be blown significantly wide open if the two-time defending champion is unable to take to the start. 

Mas is set to be joined in leadership duties by Ayuso, who finished seventh at the Tour de France in July.

Ayuso was the only rider who could initially follow Pogačar’s attack on Mont Kigali with 104km remaining during last year’s Worlds before being joined by Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

The Spanish rider was soon distanced on the savage, steep cobbles on the Mur de Kigali, but continued to fight on to finish eighth. 

AS reports that Ayuso will travel to Canada on September 8 and will spend three weeks in the country, racing both the Grand Prix Québec and Montréal, with the Worlds course striking a familiar tune to the Canadian WorldTour events.

Spanish national team coach and former world champion Alejandro Valverde has also reportedly selected Movistar duo Pablo Castrillo and Iván Romeo to compete in both the road race and the time trial, which takes place on September 20. 

Meanwhile, Raúl García Pierna (Movistar) is also expected to be selected for the road race after a strong debut season with the Spanish team, which has seen him start both the Tour and Vuelta, where he is currently supporting Mas' bid for overall victory.