"I picture two race moments" - Enric Mas eyes potential rainbow jersey after La Vuelta victory
CyclingSaturday, 26 September 2026 at 14:45
Enric Mas already has his sights set on his next major goal. The Mallorcan tackles the Montréal 2026 World Championships after winning the Vuelta a España, with the red jersey still fresh and the fatigue of a three-week race lingering in his legs. However, the victory on home roads lets him approach the worlds with renewed belief, as said in an interview with MARCA.
At 31, Mas arrives as the reigning La Vuelta champion and after completing a race that, in his own words, he finished in good condition. The change of scene and the tight turnaround make preparation different, but the rider from the Spanish team insists he takes these days on with confidence.
“Different, different. As you say, we come off a very good Vuelta. I was at home for a week or a little more and now we’ve been here a few days. It’s different,” Mas explains of the hours leading into the Worlds.
One major question around the Mallorcan is the condition he will carry into the race after the effort at La Vuelta. The short gap between both events demands careful management of fatigue, although Mas says he finished the Spanish tour in good shape and trusts he can respond when the decisive moment comes.
Mas confident ahead of World Championships
“I’m confident. The Vuelta ended a week and a half ago and I finished it very well. So yes, yes,” replies the Spaniard when asked if he feels ready for a demanding Worlds.
The sensations he showed in Spain are therefore a key reference for Mas before the championship. The Vuelta win also changes the context as he lands in Canada, though he must now switch to a very different race, with a route where positioning and race evolution will be decisive.
Enric Mas ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Montreal
Two races within one Worlds
Mas has already studied the course and has a clear idea of how the race could unfold. He splits it into two distinct phases: an opening marked by tension, especially before and during the first laps of the circuit, and a finale with far greater tactical scope.
“I picture two race moments. Early on, until we’ve done two or three laps on the circuit, it’ll be a very tense race because of the wind and the entry to the circuit. And then I’ve seen the finale a bit. If I’m where I need to be, there will be different possibilities. Really motivated,” he says.
Positioning is especially significant at a Worlds where chances can appear in the closing phases. Mas does not reveal a set strategy, but he is clear that the aim is to be in place when the race for the win starts to take shape.
Having conquered La Vuelta, the Mallorcan now faces another major test of his season. The fatigue of the Spanish Grand Tour is still there, but so is the confidence that comes from mastering one of the sport’s grand tours. Now the Worlds will determine how far those sensations can take him.
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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