"The reality is that Ben O'Connor still has a significant advantage over me and Primoz Roglic" - Enric Mas assesses Red Jersey chances on Vuelta rest day

Enric Mas always seems to save his best legs for the Vuelta a Espana and 2024 is no different. At the second and final rest day, the Movistar Team leader sits 3rd overall, 2:23 behind the Red Jersey wearing Ben O'Connor.

“For now I am third, very close to second and fourth and, increasingly, closer to first. Hopefully this week we can make some progress and enjoy the last week of La Vuelta,” assesses the three time Vuelta a Espana runner-up in his rest day press conference. "Tomorrow is very tough, but there are five more days with two mountain finishes and the Madrid time trial, which will be key. We hope that the sensations remain the same as until now, that little by little we can take time away from the leader O'Connor and arrive in Madrid calmly so that we can go out to the time trial and fight for the maximum."

Whilst Ben O'Connor does certainly still hold the advantage in the fight for the Red Jersey, it's arguably Primoz Roglic who enters the final week as favourite, trailing the Australian leader of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale by just 1:03. "The day when we will know who is in the running for the general classification is stage 20," previews Mas. "There are three very tough stages left. Tomorrow we can draw some conclusions, but the reality will be seen after stage 20 and who can or cannot win the race."

"I don't know if I'm the strongest, I'm third in the general classification. If I was and we had also played our cards well, I would be in the lead. We have two very good riders ahead of us. If I'm the strongest, I have to be able to take the time they have on us. We'll find out on Sunday," continues the Spaniard. "Anything can happen in 15 kilometres, let alone in a week. The reality is that O'Connor still has a significant advantage over me and Roglic. He is the favourite for now and it is up to us to react."

"Strategically, we can play differently this week. Today we had a team meeting on the day off to analyse what awaits us this week and what we can do. It is clear that we can prepare for anything and that it does not happen and change our plans," he concludes.