Alberto Contador sees protégé and surprise 2017 Angliru domestique follow in his footsteps

When Contador was still racing professionally, Mas was already making his way through the sport. Their relationship was almost like that of a father and son, sharing the same peloton. Mas rode as a young talent for the Contador Foundation, the development team created by the Spanish cycling legend. Contador even personally took him under his wing, helping him learn the finer details of professional cycling.

Contador ended his professional career in 2017 in the most spectacular way possible, winning the stage on the Angliru. During that climb, he passed Mas, who was riding at the front after making his move from the early breakaway for Quick-Step. It was Mas’ first Grand Tour, while it was Contador’s final one. The younger rider decided to spend a long time at the front of the race for his great idol.

After that stage, Contador named the then very young Mas as his successor, and the climber has partially lived up to that prediction. He finished second overall in the Vuelta three times and claimed third place once. He also finished inside the top six at the Tour de France twice and finished second at the 2022 Il Lombardia.

The circle is now truly complete, with Mas set to win the Vuelta a España nine years later, at the age of 31. “Riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar have practically blocked the Grand Tours. That is normal, because they are two incredibly consistent riders who almost never have bad days. As a result, they set a very high limit for everyone else,” Contador said to AS.

“But there is a whole group of riders behind them fighting for second place, and this time the red jersey suddenly became available,” Contador said, referring to Tadej Pogacar’s abandonment in stage 8 after a heavy crash. “That does not mean this was a gift. Enric has earned this through extremely hard work and his current form. He was the strongest.”

The version of Mas that Contador saw after Pogacar’s withdrawal particularly impressed him. “You have to stay strong, believe in yourself and your abilities, and shut yourself off from what people say. That is easier said than done, but Enric is a good example. I did not expect my successor to take this long to arrive, but everyone develops in their own way.”

“Enric arrived quickly, he was already second in 2018, and after that he was never able to win. Then it can feel as if nothing has been worthwhile, but now cycling is finally recognising Enric Mas for his true value.”