Stage 17 of the Vuelta a España 2024 has served as a rest day for the men in the general classification, who from Thursday (but especially Friday and Saturday with the two high mountain stages) will begin the final fight for the red jersey.
Ben O'Connor is still leading, but with 5 seconds over Primoz Roglic. Enric Mas is 3rd at 1:20 behind the Slovenian. The Movistar Team rider knows that his chance to win the overall of the Vuelta a España will depend on creating many differences in the high mountain days, because in the final time trial in Madrid Roglic will surely be better.
For this reason, in the microphones of Eurosport after the end of stage 17, Alberto Contador explains the strategy that Mas will have to follow to beat the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe star, taking advantage of the fact that Mikel Landa wants to overtake Richard Carapaz and go for the Top 3 in the final general classification.
"Alliances are needed," Contador begins by explaining. "Roglic is a rider who we already know has won the Vuelta a España three times. He's very solid and the time trial on the last day favors him. If you want to make a difference with him you have to try to have alliances."
"The problem is that carrying them out is very difficult. It always is, even if the interests are common. I think it can't be ruled out, but we'll have to see," concludes Alberto Contador.
A Top 3 of the Vuelta a España that could cause sparks to fly
It would certainly be a surprise to see Enric Mas and Mikel Landa team up, especially since Ben O'Connor, even if he has a hard time winning the general classification in Madrid, is still aiming for at least a top 3 finish. This means that there would only be a gap left for Mas or Landa if Roglic ends up winning the race. Would it be in their best interest to team up?
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