Strongest Mas ever and a Roglic far from his best - Alberto Contador's honest assessment of La Vuelta battle for red
CyclingTuesday, 08 September 2026 at 20:00
The battle for the overall at La Vuelta a España enters its decisive phase with Enric Mas in front and Primož Roglič as one of his main rivals. With the time trial and the final two mountain stages still ahead, Alberto Contador believes the Slovenian’s performance is one of the race’s big unknowns and that his form could shape the outcome.
The former Spanish rider focuses on how both contenders evolve across a Grand Tour and argues that, as the days pass, gaps can shrink between specialists and those who arrive strongest at the finish. “In the end we need Roglič as a direct rival for the overall, because he’s the first who sits above the Austrian,” Contador said on Eurosport’s La Montonera, before warning about the uncertainty surrounding the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe leader.
Contador feels it is still hard to know how Roglič will respond in the final four stages. The Slovenian has shown throughout his career a remarkable ability to grow into Grand Tours, but his performance in this Vuelta stretch will be decisive in gauging how far his bid can go. “With Roglič we just don’t know what these last four stages can bring,” noted the three-time Vuelta a España winner.
'El Pistolero's analysis also starts from a familiar theme in Grand Tours: the gradual narrowing of differences between specialists and those who reach the end of the race in exceptional form. Accumulated fatigue can shift the benchmarks and alter hierarchies that looked clear in the opening weeks.
“As a Grand Tour progresses, the gaps between the specialist and the rider who is simply very strong usually level out quite a bit in the general classification,” Contador explained. In his view, that dynamic could play a major role in the fight between Mas and Roglič when the race hits its decisive days.
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Mas’ resilience a decisive asset
In this scenario, Contador believes Enric Mas is showing an especially competitive version of himself. The Movistar Team rider reaches the final phase in red and with the confidence that comes from having handled the toughest days so far. For the former Spanish pro, the Mallorcan’s form is one of the standout arguments of this Vuelta.
“We’re seeing the strongest Enric Mas ever, and a Primož Roglič who perhaps is no longer at his all-time best,” Contador stated. In his view, that contrast in current form helps balance a duel that, on paper, might have looked more favorable to the Slovenian given his experience and pedigree in this type of race.
The time trial will therefore be a key moment to measure the contenders’ strength. Roglič can count on strong arguments against the clock, but Mas will then have two opportunities in the mountains to respond if the TT does not go his way. “That really evens the scales, plus what we were just saying, that we’re already so deep into the Vuelta a España,” he added.
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Contador also believes the calendar plays into the Movistar Team leader’s hands. Even if Roglič claws back time in the time trial, two brutal stages will remain in which Mas can try to regain ground or extend his advantage. “Regardless of the time trial result, there are then two very hard stages in which, at a given moment, he could try to put Primož Roglič under pressure or get time back if necessary,” he concluded.
Contador’s takeaway points to a battle still wide open, but with an Enric Mas who hits the final part of La Vuelta with solid arguments. The TT may reshuffle the standings, though the subsequent mountains will offer the leader a last chance to defend or even increase his lead before the final arrival in Madrid.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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