As the Vuelta a España enters its decisive third week, Movistar rider Enric Mas holds a 2.10-minute lead over Primož Roglič.
Nibali Issues a Warning From History
Italian former professional rider Vincenzo Nibali has cautioned that Mas risks repeating the tactical errors that cost him and Roglič victory during that memorable Grand Tour battle. Red Bull remains optimistic about mounting a late-race comeback.
Mas enters the final stretch of the Spanish Grand Tour sitting at the top of the general classification. His standing at the front of the race follows a season where he previously proved to be among the very few riders capable of sticking close to Tadej Pogačar’s wheel during key mountain skirmishes.
The Danger of a Tactical Stalemate
Yet, holding the red jersey against an opponent of Roglič’s caliber brings immediate tactical hazards. Nibali, drawing directly from his own Grand Tour experiences, pointed out the dangers of a two-way stalemate among top contenders. During the 2019 Giro d’Italia, Nibali and Roglič engaged in a tight tactical standoff, closely marking one another while letting their focus slip elsewhere. That hesitation allowed Richard Carapaz to seize the initiative on Stage 13, ultimately securing the overall pink jersey while Nibali settled for second place overall.
Nibali warned that Mas must maintain composure and avoid falling into a similar trap as the race hits its brutal final mountain stages and the individual time trial.
Roglič Embraces an Unlikely Resurgence
Roglič, who has made no secret of his belief that the race remains open, spoke about his current physical status and tactical position. Roglič acknowledged that his buildup to the Spanish tour was far from straightforward.
“I would like to be as good as he is, but I know how I arrived at the Vuelta and how I approached it. With the rehabilitation and the preparation, I’m not at my best, but I’m at a good level. I’m very happy. It’s probably the best level I’v had this season.”
Those comments underscore a remarkable physical turnaround for the Slovenian star, whose participation in the race was surrounded by uncertainty just weeks prior due to injury and subsequent rehabilitation. Rather than placing a specific percentage on his current fitness, Roglič has embraced his standing within the race group.
“I don’t want to say I’m at 80 per cent, 50 per cent or 10 per cent, or whether I’m going up or down,” Roglič noted. “We’ll see.”
The Final Test for Movistar’s Rider
Team management within Red Bull maintains complete confidence in their leader’s ability to overturn the two-minute deficit.
With Mas stepping into what Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad described as “the chance of his lifetime,” the Movistar rider must balance aggression with defensive vigilance. The scuchtere klimmer—the once-shy climber who occasionally battled descents—has evolved into a commanding protagonist, yet the closing stages of the Vuelta will test whether he can fend off a relentless competitor who thrives in high-pressure third-week scenarios.
The peloton resumes battle in the high mountains of the final week, where every climb, descent, and tactical misstep will dictate who stands atop the podium in Madrid.
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