Enric Mas holds off Primoz Roglic in time trial and warns before Vuelta finale: “No advantage is ever enough"
Cycling
Enric Mas successfully negotiated one of the biggest tests of his 2026 Vuelta a Espana campaign, conceding only 33 seconds to Primoz Roglic in the 32.1km individual time trial from El Puerto de Santa Maria to Jerez de la Frontera.
The Movistar Team leader retained the red jersey with an advantage of 1:37 over Roglic, who moved into second overall ahead of Felix Gall.
With three stages remaining, Mas remains firmly in control of the race but refuses to consider the contest settled.
The result provided another significant confidence boost for Mas. Roglic had been expected to recover considerably more time on a flat course suited to his qualities, but the Spaniard kept his losses under control and even regained several seconds during the final part of the time trial.
Mas limits his losses in decisive time trial
Mas reported positive sensations throughout most of the course and said Movistar had anticipated that Roglic would make his biggest gains during the opening kilometres.
“Good. Honestly, I felt good throughout,” Mas explained after finishing the stage. “I think the time I lost came mainly at the beginning, but we had that in mind, so we’re happy.”
Roglic gained 22 seconds over the opening 11.7km and increased that difference to 36 seconds by the second checkpoint. Mas then recovered three seconds during the final section to restrict his overall loss to 33 seconds.
The result left Roglic fourth on the stage behind winner Stefan Kung, Callum Thornley and Joao Almeida. More importantly for the general classification, the Slovenian remained well over a minute behind Mas before the final climbing tests.
Mas also discussed how he handled the pressure surrounding a time trial widely presented as the greatest immediate threat to his race lead. “Honestly, pressure was the least of my concerns,” he said. “I was simply happy to have worn the red jersey for so many days, and being able to wear it for another day is a huge source of pride.”
The race leader nevertheless offered a quick reminder of how much of the Vuelta remains unresolved: “There are only three stages left.”
“No advantage is ever enough”
Mas’ advantage places him in a strong position, but the Movistar leader is unwilling to relax while Roglic, Gall, Richard Carapaz and Oscar Onley remain behind him. “No advantage is ever enough with rivals like Primoz, Gall and all the others who are there, Richard and Oscar,” Mas warned.
Roglic remains the closest challenger after replacing Gall in second. The Austrian dropped to third at 3:01, while Carapaz and Onley remain fourth and fifth respectively.
“They are rivals who can surprise you at any moment, so we always have to be extremely attentive,” Mas continued. “We can never become overconfident because the race can still be lost.”
Two demanding stages remain before the final day in Granada. Mas will therefore have to defend his advantage in the mountains before he can begin thinking seriously about the first Grand Tour victory of his career.
Spanish support grows around the red jersey
Mas was also asked about the support he has received during his home Grand Tour. He joked about the suggestion that he had become one of Spain’s most popular sportspeople during the race, but acknowledged that his extended spell in red had captured public attention. “It’s simply true that it has been a long time since a Spanish rider led a Grand Tour,” he said.
Mas suggested Jesus Herrada’s spell in the red jersey during the 2018 Vuelta as a possible reference point, although he was unsure whether another Spaniard had since led a Grand Tour for as long.
“I don’t know whether I should say since Jesus Herrada in 2018. I don’t know if there has been anyone else since, but it has been a long time,” he explained. “It’s normal that people follow it and get excited.”
Mas also thanked the supporters whose encouragement has followed Movistar throughout the race, describing that backing as an important lift for the entire team. The Spaniard will begin Stage 19 with Roglic at 1:37, Gall at 3:01, Carapaz at 5:17 and Onley at 6:03.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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