Enric Mas did not have a favourable position into stage 10's individual time-trial, but has all-in-all defended himself in the pan-flat - even slightly downhill - route into Alicante with over 30 kilometers of effort.
“I didn't ride a bad time trial. I'm just not super happy with my performance. I got off to a good start, but I still had to give up a lot of time in the end," Mas told AS at the end of the day. "It was really a course for the time trial specialists, with few altimeters. It was never really difficult at all.”
The Spaniard set off for the time-trial with the goal of limiting losses, as he directly had to face the race's two strongest riders of the day in Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic who rounded up the leading spots. Mas held off Evenepoel from overtaking him, however shed almost two minutes to the Belgian - despite finishing a respectable tenth place. To Primoz Roglic the gaps were also meaningful, with 1:03 minutes lost - however only 22 seconds separate the two at the start of stage 11.
“There is still a long way to go in this Vuelta and we are looking at it day by day. On Wednesday we get a flat stage and from Thursday we get an idea how the race will develop further. Evenepoel is currently flying in this Vuelta, he shows that he is very good. But we'll keep trying," Mas wrapped up. Having put on a good performance, Mas remains very well within the fight for the red jersey, and he will too hope for the Belgian to find difficulties in the upcoming weeks.
