Vuelta a España GC challenger Enric Mas (Movistar) regained practically a minute on flagging chief Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) on the relentlessly tough ascent of Ancares, and the Spaniard was something however content material on the end.
Up to now, Mas has been the one rider who has been in a position to follow Primož Roglič (Crimson Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), whether or not or not it’s on the viciously-steep slopes of Villuercas and Cazorla or the a lot punchier ascent on the stage to Padron. Not solely that, on the stage to Sierra Nevada final Sunday, Mas was even in a position to drop Roglič and achieve practically a minute earlier than getting reeled in on the lengthy descent again into Granada.
Nevertheless, on stage 13 on the ultimate ascent of Ancares when Roglič went on the rampage in his newest try and put a dent into O’Connor’s lead, it proved to be a really completely different story for the Spaniard. Mas managed to stay with Roglič for nearly a kilometre after the Crimson Bull chief went clear on Ancares’ horrendously steep slopes, however that was pretty much as good because it obtained.
Dropping 58 seconds on the Slovenian by the summit, Mas’ dangerous day was significantly worsened by the 23 seconds he ceded to Spanish GC challengers Mikel Landa (T Rex-Fast-Step) and 14 seconds to Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers). Mas remains to be 12 seconds forward of his closest rival for the rostrum, Richard Carapaz (EF Schooling-EasyPost), however additional down GC, the gaps are shrinking.
“I hope it was only a dangerous day,” Mas stated. “I felt empty from the foot of the climb and that’s why I didn’t attempt to take turns after I obtained away with Primož.
“Up till then I’ve felt nice within the race, however maybe I overdid it by even making an attempt to observe him. However I’m going to maintain on making an attempt, that’s for certain.”
Mas definitely appeared to be on the restrict of his power as he approached the road, his eyes gazing fixedly forward as he battled with the ache. But regardless of his first setback of the race, Mas added pugnaciously, “I’m nonetheless going to attempt to win the Vuelta”, and the triple runner-up total (2018, 2021 and 2022) remains to be solely 3:01 down on O’Connor.
Nevertheless, he isn’t the one rider from south of the Pyrenees nonetheless within the operating for a prime spot within the Spanish Grand Tour. Basque Mikel Landa (T Rex-Fast-Step), who was in a position to depend on breakaway teammate Kasper Asgreen to present him assist on the Ancares, remains to be mendacity fifth total, at 3:20.
Landa had a gradual begin on the climb however was steadily in a position to make up misplaced floor and he thanked Asgreen profusely on the end.
“Having someone with me who compelled me to push a bit deeper was actually key,” Landa stated, “as a result of I used to be proper on my restrict. Primož is certainly a bit stronger than the remainder of us, however there’s nonetheless a variety of Vuelta left to race.”
Ineos Grenadier GC contender Rodríguez was equally content material after certainly one of his greatest performances to this point within the 2024 Vuelta, using at his personal tempo to stay in sixth total.
“We knew that it was a really powerful ascent, and also you needed to deal with your power very rigorously,” stated Rodríguez, at the moment main the perfect younger rider’s rating by 17 seconds on Roglič’s teammate Florian Lipowitz.
“Bora actually put the hammer down from the beginning of the climb and I didn’t assume I might deal with it. However I stored the identical tempo and depth all the way in which up the climb and I believe I did that very nicely. I’ve misplaced time on Roglič and Landa, however I’m joyful.”
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