Eusebio Unzué points out the key reason why Enric Mas can challenge Tadej Pogacar at La Vuelta: "The time trials will not be decisive"

This Thursday, our Spanish sister channel CiclismoAlDía was able to be at the presentation of the Vuelta a Espana 2025. The route of the edition of this coming season has not left anyone indifferent. After the first stages in Italy, the entire race will focus on the northern peninsular, and then culminate in Madrid, first with stage 20 at the Bola del Mundo, in Navacerrada, and then with the triumphal ride through the capital.

The Vuelta will have virtually no opportunities for the sprinters. It will be almost entirely oriented to the mountains, and therefore to the men in the general classification. In terms of Spanish challengers, Enric Mas will likely lead the way, duelling against Tadej Pogacar. Although the challenge will be tough, Movistar Team boss Eusebio Unzué points out a key aspect of the route that benefits the Movistar Team star.

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Profiles & Route Vuelta a Espana 2025 - Angliru, Farrapona, Bola del Mundo; 4 countries and a TTT

"The celebration of the 90th edition of the Vuelta a España comes with a clearly mountainous air and with two mythical sanctuaries such as the Angliru and, on the penultimate day of the race, the Bola del Mundo," begins the manager of the Movistar Ream in statements published on the networks of the Spanish team itself.

"Along with other well-known finishes in Pal, Cerler, Valdezcaray or La Farrapona; without a doubt, itis going to be a great Vuelta a España that will please the climbers," adds Unzué, just before mentioning what could be decisive for Mas to keep pace with Pogacar.

"The time trials are not going to be decisive, and we will also have room for possible sprints," says Eusebio Unzué. Historically, Enric Mas is not a good time trial rider, while Pogacar always stands out. If the Vuelta a España had been crucial for the overall, the Movistar Team leader would have very little chance of beating the UAE Team Emirates superstar.

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Enric Mas challenges Tadej Pogacar and everyone into Vuelta a Espana 2025: "I hope to finish what I've been trying to do for a long time"

The 2 time trials of the Vuelta a España 2025

In the next Vuelta there will be two time trials in total, which will be the following:

• Stage 5: 20 km team time trial in Figueres. It will be practically flat.
• Stage 18: 26 km individual time trial in Valladolid. It is completely flat, and may create differences between Mas and Pogacar. However, they are not expected to be large.

Finally, Eusebio Unzué gives his general opinion about the whole route: "It is very interesting to give visibility and enhance La Vuelta in other countries, with the start in Italy, the passage through part of the mythical French Alps, the return to Andorra and all the inclusion of northern Spain. A less hard edition than that of 2024 and that will give options to many riders".