Enric Mas: “The 27 seconds will be very good for the time trial”

Enric Mas (Movistar), La Vuelt red jerseya, was happy after managing to give his direct rivals 27 seconds at the top of Calar Altotime that he considers “important” before next week’s time trial, in which, theoretically, the Slovenian Primoz Roglic is superior.

“I am very happy with the team and proud of my teammates. If we review the stage, we see that they did it perfectly. Those 27 seconds are important for next week, I am happy about that,” Mas said after the stage.

Mas attacked 11 km from the finish line and managed to keep cyclists like Roglic and Felix Gall, his closest rivals in the general standings, unable to keep up with the Balearic Islands.

“I was confident before the attack, and in the end the climb was too long, but hey, I enjoyed it. Five years ago we did it in the other direction and I already had a good feeling. We also did two training camps here with the team during the winter, it was very hard and now I enjoyed it a little more,” he commented.

“This morning’s plan on the bus came out of 10, everything we talked about was executed. At the right moment we planned to attack. I felt confident and attacked,” he highlighted.

“This result will be good for the future, but there is a lot of Vuelta left, 9 stages and 3 high finishes. We have to enjoy,” he said.

Mas, who revealed that there have been technical changes regarding his position on the bike, showed his intention to win the Vuelta after three second places and one third.

“I’m going to try to win the Vuelta. Today has been a hard day and I hope that Enric continues to enjoy himself because I don’t always have these legs. I’m enjoying the Vuelta and I’m enjoying it,” he stressed.

Before next week’s time trial, Mas admitted Roglic’s superiority, but recalled that he and his team will do their job

“We have to be aware that Primoz Roglic is an Olympic champion and has an impressive time. We have to focus on those who are left,” he concluded.