Enric Mas is going to try to enjoy his Vuelta success, if he can find the time: 'But soon I'll have another important goal'

Enric Mas had already earned the reputation of being the “eternal runner-up” in Spain, but the Movistar rider put that label to rest once and for all on Sunday in Granada by winning the Vuelta a España. The Spaniard achieved this in front of his friends and family, which naturally made him more than happy. Afterward, he spoke to AS about it.

At first, the stage seemed destined to be won by Tadej Pogacar, but after the Slovenian dropped back, Mas suddenly emerged as the man to beat. Still, on Day 6 on the way to Castello, he had already shown that he could compete with Pogacar by being the only rider to catch up to him after an attack on the gravel climb.

"The lead-out laps we did together on the flat section were crucial. The fact that we were able to compete with him like that during that phase of the race also helped us gain more confidence," said Mas, who also singled out his favorite moment of the race.

"I'd say the victory at Aitana. It was a truly special moment when I was able to cap off the work of the entire team, which had been fantastic throughout the entire race. I know I've said this many times before, but everyone's dedication is invaluable."

Mas's next stop is the World Championships in Montreal. "In cycling, time flies by, and you barely have a moment to pause. I'm going to try to enjoy myself for a few days now, but soon I'll have another important goal coming up that I'll be training for."

Finally, Mas inspires others with his story. “Always keep dreaming. That’s a message for everyone. In the end, the dream came true. Ever since I put on the red jersey, I dreamed about it every night. Of course, there were difficult moments—times when we really struggled—but the team always supported me.”

"If I hadn't had self-confidence, or hadn't been convinced that I could achieve something like that, I would have quit cycling or asked the team for a different role. "With a great team around me, I was able to keep going, turn the situation around, and it was all worth it," he concludes.