“I hope I have the same legs as I did four years ago” - Vuelta a Espana winner Mas drawing on vivid memories in Il Lombardia pursuit
Cycling
Enric Mas approaches Il Lombardia 2026 as the final race of a historic season for the Movistar Team rider, who won the Vuelta a España and became one of the year’s leading figures. The Mallorcan started the final Monument of the season intent on enjoying the 240-kilometre course and gauging how much energy remains after a season of maximum intensity.
Speaking to Cycling Pro Net, Mas admitted that he hopes to have enough strength for one of the calendar’s toughest races, on a course that brings back particularly positive memories. In 2022, the Spaniard finished second at Il Lombardia, behind only Tadej Pogačar, and now hopes to rediscover that feeling.
Asked about his physical condition at the end of the season, Mas was cautious but eager to enjoy the calendar’s final major race. “Yes, I hope I have enough energy for today and for the next 240 km. I hope to enjoy the final Monument of the year,” he explained at the start.
The memory of his 2022 performance remains vivid. That day, the Spanish rider took second place and showed that he could compete for victory in one of world cycling’s great classics. Four years later, he returns to a race he knows well, hoping to produce his best performance once again.
“Very special memories and fantastic moments. Hopefully I have the same legs today as I did four years ago. We’ll give it a try,” said the Mallorcan.
Enric Mas won the Vuelta a España 2026.
Enric Mas knows the finale will be extremely tough
Mas also assessed the characteristics of this year’s route and the role the final circuit could play in shaping the race. The Spaniard highlighted the difficulty of the last three climbs, which could influence team tactics and force the leading favourites to wait until the final ascents before making their moves.
“Yes, with the three final climbs, it’s harder than on other days or in other years,” said the Movistar Team rider.
The route also reminds him of the 2022 edition, when he finished second. “It’s like in 2022; I think the final 100 km are the same,” he explained.
Mas opens up on race tactics
As for the potential tactics, Mas expects teams with several riders capable of challenging for victory to use their options before the decisive moment arrives for their leaders.
“I suppose the other teams will play their cards with other riders and wait for the final climb with their leaders,” he concluded.
After a season defined by his Vuelta a España victory, Enric Mas is looking to finish the year with a strong performance at Il Lombardia. Memories of his 2022 runner-up finish fuel his ambition, although the rider knows that everything will depend on the legs he has left after such a demanding campaign.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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- A victory of 2 minutes after 80h is a heck of a lot closer than in a one day race. Let’s keep things in perspective. It’s also often the result of one good day or a good team effort. In itself it doesn’t really provide much information for comparison of two riders.Jumpyjohn10-10-2026
- Yeah, I laughed at that! And Pogi didn’t even race for 2 stages as he was helping Torito!Lozza10-10-2026
- Good for them. The situation is ridiculous.wrsty10-10-2026
- What a ridiculous headline!Lozza10-10-2026
- They are equal in my opinion, which doesn’t make it easier for anyone.Jumpyjohn10-10-2026
- Ok, thanks for replying to that. Seems to have passed very quietly in an environment always trying to make big news out of small details. Am a little surprised as he really wouldn’t have had to exert himself enormously, he had enough time after and it was not exactly miles away so wouldn’t be surprised if there was more to it, which seems to be the case behind everything these days, like the media have discovered the best way to stay relevant is to reveal details as if it was a series, always holding enough back to create more, as if they feared running out of news ;-)Jumpyjohn10-10-2026
- Now that all the top guys are here, Remco has to win this to prove Euro was not a fluke.abstractengineer10-10-2026
- great dudemij10-10-2026
- they gotta get this fixed. it is atrocious.mij10-10-2026
- this team is stackedmij10-10-2026
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