"I’m starting to believe" - Enric Mas believes La Vuelta win is within reach after Calar Alto masterclass
CyclingThursday, 03 September 2026 at 18:41
Enric Mas stamped his authority again on stage 12 of the Vuelta a España 2026. The Movistar Team leader attacked with 10 kilometres to go to Calar Alto and added another 27 seconds to his advantage over Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall, tightening his grip on the red jersey.
But the Balearic rider did not want to dwell on his solo show: after the stage, he pointed to the team as one of the main reasons for his outstanding performance.
“It was the initial plan, exactly as we said on the bus is how it played out,” explained Enric Mas about the strategy designed by Movistar for this twelfth stage. The plan came off almost perfectly and allowed the leader to reach the decisive kilometers with strong team support around him.
Mas was keen to thank his teammates, who rode on the front to control the race and set up the terrain for the final attack.
“I think everyone could see on TV the incredible work they did from first to last, and I just want to thank them because they’re riding like a great team,” the Vuelta leader stressed.
Movistar’s display was especially important given the Spanish squad is without Cian Uijtdebroeks at this Vuelta, one of its key climbers. The Belgian had to abandon after a crash, leaving the team one man down for the big mountain days.
Even so, Enric Mas made it clear his teammates managed to offset that absence on Calar Alto.
Enric Mas at the 2026 Vuelta a España
Enric Mas did not miss any teammate
“No one, no one, no one,” Mas replied when asked if he had missed that last climber in the decisive part of the ascent.
The Balearic rider did admit it is a shame not to have Uijtdebroeks: “It’s true it’s a pity not to have Cian [Uijtdebroeks] here. As you know, he’s a really, really strong guy, a great rider, and due to cycling circumstances, a crash, we can’t have him.”
From there, Movistar had to adjust its approach and split the workload among its riders.
“We had to divide into parts during the stage, and I think we did it super well,” Mas explained.
The result was one of Movistar Team’s best collective performances in this Vuelta. Raúl García Pierna and Pablo Castrillo were active up the road, while the rest of the team controlled until it was time for Mas to take charge.
Mas attacked the final climb after Felix Gall had done so, creating a gap on the Austrian and Primoz Roglic before finding Pierna up the road who would help him in the fast phase of thw ascent.
The 27 seconds gained on Roglic and Gall further extend Enric Mas’ lead in the general classification, but the leader refuses to treat that cushion as an invitation to relax.
Asked if the time gained brought calm, his answer was blunt: “Well, what it gives me is more motivation than calm. It’s something super positive.”
Mas knows there is still a long Vuelta ahead, but the result on Calar Alto is a major boost for his confidence and for the whole team.
“I think if the team, if the boys respond, I have to respond, and for now we’re doing that, so we’re going to enjoy it,” he said.
Read also
Enric Mas is starting to believe
The inevitable question after performances like Calar Alto is whether we are seeing the best version of Enric Mas. The Movistar Team rider, already three times second and once third at the Vuelta, did not duck it this time.
“I’m starting to believe so because, well, so far you’ve seen it,” he replied.
It is probably the phrase that best sums up the Mallorcan’s moment. After years in which his Grand Tour form came with doubts and swings, Mas is showing at this Vuelta a España 2026 a solidity that lets him make differences even against rivals like Roglic.
Calar Alto once again offered a telling image: Enric Mas attacking, opening a gap, and reaching the finish with a new margin over his main rivals. Above all, it left the sense that the Movistar Team leader is no longer racing only to defend the red jersey.
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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