Enric Mas saw a frustrated Tadej Pogačar on stage 7 of the Vuelta a España: 'That’s why he rode that way'

Tadej Pogacar got through the seventh stage of the Vuelta a España just fine, but his riavls suspect that the Slovenian rider from UAE Emirates-XRG was a bit irritated on the final climb. Enric Mas spoke openly about it on Eurosport, suggesting that Pogacar’s attack in the final kilometers was motivated by a grudge.

UAE Emirates-XRG led the race all day, but on the final climb, Decathlon CMA CGM took the lead in support of Felix Gall. The Austrian then launched his own attack and gained ten seconds on Mas and even more on the others.

Pogacar finished six seconds ahead of him again. “I think he got a little frustrated at a few points during the race, and that’s why he rode that way,” Mas said afterward, without specifying what that was about. The Slovenian himself said afterward that he would have preferred to stick to the pace set by his own teammates, but that he also understood Decathlon’s move.

Mas himself is still in second place. "It was a day to limit the damage, so I'm satisfied—satisfied with what we did and satisfied with the team."

The rider from Mallorca is now in second place, 3.50 minutes behind Pogacar, but one minute ahead of Primoz Roglic of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. “There’s still the entire Vuelta to go. We’re not even at the end of the first week yet, so we’ll take it step by step.”

Pogačar said he simply maintained his team’s prior tempo when Gall left a gap, then pushed to the summit when rivals couldn’t follow, emphasizing the focus on the general classification.

He admitted he’d have preferred his team’s own pacing but acknowledged Decathlon’s strong effort. Calling it a good, straightforward day with energy saved, Pogačar noted he didn’t use his teammates and expects Stage 9 to be one of the Vuelta’s toughest. Read more.