"At the top I had more than a minute" - Enric Mas sees all his hard work undone by late scare on stage 9 at 2024 Vuelta a Espana

Enric Mas actually lost a spot in the general classification of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana on stage 9, despite a very strong showing that saw the Spaniard summit the day's last climb with more than a minute advantage over Primoz Roglic, Ben O'Connor and company.

The reason? On the final descent he had a wind scare and was almost sent catapulting over the barriers at the side of the road, but thankfully managed to skilfully keep himself upright. After the stage, Mas was realistic in his reflections. On the one hand, he was happy with his performance, but on the other hand, he made it clear that the effort had not helped him.

"The sensations have been very good, have served more for the show than to catch some time at the finish, but well, we'll keep that, that the sensations have been good, we have reached the summit with 1:20 advantage. Then we had a scare because of the wind on the descent, and I'm thankful I didn't fall, but I'm happy," Mas assesses. "It didn't help, it's true that at the top I had more than a minute. I hope that in Lagos and in the other mountain passes that have a high finish it will be of some use. Today I don't know if it was the roads, I had a few scares on the front wheel. I had a big scare. Today the strongest rider was Adam Yates".