Fearsome climb takes hold of Vuelta - Can Enric Mas hold his own as Roglic, Gall and Onley linger ahead of summit finish
Cycling
La Pandera returns to the Vuelta a España 2026 at the worst possible moment for Enric Mas’s rivals. The fearsome Jaén climb is back this Saturday, September 5th, as the decisive summit finish of stage 14.
It’s 12 kilometres at 7% average, with ramps hitting 18%, a setting where gaps can open in minutes and where there has never been room for half measures.
If there is one rider who should not fear this mountain, it is the Movistar Team leader. The red jersey of the Vuelta a España 2026 knows exactly what it means to face La Pandera. In 2022, when Remco Evenepoel wore the leader’s jersey and seemed to have that edition under control, the Mallorcan was among those who most tried to put him on the ropes.
Four years on, the picture is completely different. Mas does not reach La Pandera as a chaser looking to claw back time: he arrives in red and with a solid cushion over Primož Roglič, Felix Gall, and the rest of the GC contenders. That changes the script entirely.
Enric Mas en la Vuelta a España 2026.
In 2022 Mas already proved La Pandera doesn’t scare him
The last La Vuelta visit to this summit left an image worth recalling before analysing what could happen this Saturday. In 2022, the GC battle was defined by Evenepoel’s control. However, La Pandera became one of the first places where the Belgian showed signs of weakness.
Primož Roglič drove the action. The Slovenian took on much of the responsibility and managed to put the leader under pressure. Mas matched that tempo and, although he finished behind Roglič at the line, he also hurt Evenepoel.
That day made it clear the Mallorcan could go toe to toe on such a brutal climb and, above all, that he would not settle when he saw a chance to gain time.
The context now is different. Mas wears the red jersey and Roglič is one of those who must close the gap. La Pandera commands respect, but it should not inspire fear in the Movistar Team leader. La Pandera is one of those finales that can reshape a general classification in just a few kilometres.
Its 12 kilometres at 7% already bring substantial difficulty, but the pitches up to 18% turn certain sections into true selection points. It’s terrain where the legs do the talking and where holding a steady pace can matter more than any pre-race calculation.
Roglič will have to decide whether to attack
This time, the question is not so much whether La Pandera can hurt Mas, but which rivals are willing to take the risk to try. Roglič knows the climb inside out and was a key protagonist in 2022. If the Slovenian wants to cut his deficit to the leader, he will need to find a moment to attack.
Gall, for his part, also arrives with the obligation to seek openings if he wants to move closer to the top of the GC.
Mas, by contrast, has a clear strategic advantage: he does not need to gain time at any cost. He can wait. He can respond. He can let his rivals shoulder the responsibility. And he can also attack if race circumstances allow. That is the big difference compared to 2022.
Mas can ride defensively or go back on the offensive
The memory of that stage shows Mas has no reason to consider La Pandera a no-go terrain for his skill set. In 2022 he attacked and managed to hurt Evenepoel. In 2026 he arrives as leader and in a far more favourable situation. That is why the Jaén ascent can be an opportunity for the Mallorcan rather than a threat.
If his rivals try to harden the race, he must answer. If someone opens a gap, he will have to judge how much risk is worth taking. And if the legs are there, it would not be surprising to see Mas try to extend his lead.
That is the crux: Enric Mas no longer needs to prove he can gain time on La Pandera. It is his rivals who must prove they can take it from him.
La Pandera stage winners
| Year | Winner |
| 2002 | Roberto Heras |
| 2003 | Alejandro Valverde |
| 2006 | Alexandre Vinokourov |
| 2009 | Damiano Cunego |
| 2017 | Rafal Majka |
| 2022 | Richard Carapaz |
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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