Enric Mas looking to rival Tadej Pogacar once again at Il Lombardia; looks at Rwanda World Championships - "I like this type of race. I might come"

Enric Mas is a rider who frequently has very good form towards the end of the season and it is the case once again. After showing brilliant form at La Vuelta and the World Championships, he hopes to do what he did in 2022: Be Tadej Pogacar's biggest rival in the Italian Autumn classics.

He already beat Tadej Pogacar at the Giro dell'Emilia in 2022 directly and a few days later was the only rider to put the Slovenian in difficulty at Il Lombardia. Ultimately he finished second, uncapable of beating Pogacar in the final sprint. At the World Championships, the Spaniard was one of the strongest in the field and finished eighth in a field mostly composed of classics specialists, which gives him hope of being able to win again in the final weeks of the season despite the very strong competition.

In fact, considering his good sensations and his eighth place in Zurich, he does not rule out riding the World Championships in Rwanda next year if his calendar next year allows him to do so. In statements to Marca, he makes it clear that his priority continues to be the Grand Tours - it has been reported recently that in 2025, the 29-year old may be making his debut at the Giro d'Italia which could suit him better than other Grand Tour routes.

"We'll have to analyze the routes well, but we've already seen that the one in Rwanda looks tough. I like this type of race. I might come," he admits. "We'll have to balance the calendar well because I really tend to give priority to three-week races, but this year I opted right after the Vuelta a España to come here because I had a good pedal stroke that I hope will last until Il Lombardia".