On the cruel ramps of La Pandera, and in the metamorphic process that, to the amazement and wonder of locals and strangers, it is experiencing, Enric Mas maintained his leadership. Not only did he maintain it: he reinforced it by entering 4:12 behind the winner, with Felix Gall spearheading the group of favorites. Roglic, helpless, gave in regarding both. Even more Carapaz, winner on those trails in 2022, where Enric had such a bad time. They were other times...
The stage fell into the heroic hands of Marco Brenner (Tudor), ahead of Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain), king of the mountain, both of whom were the greatest survivors of a 45-man escape that dissolved along the way, through the ports of 2ª de los Villares and Locubín, and finally La Pandera.
Also in La Pandera, the illustrious squad, from which Mas and Gall emerged, melted under the heat and fatigue. The dominant Balearic player had the help of García Pierna, strategically placed as a bridgehead for the massive escape. Castrillo, also focused on that goal, could not respond to the same extent. But their help was ultimately not so necessary.
We wrote after the Xeraco stage, that Mas did not exert the same deterrent effect as Pogacar. That he did not intimidate, that he was respected more than feared. Those who lowered their heads at the Slovenian's glance saw Enric as a prey rather than a master. Enric was approachable, vulnerable.
Only 24 hours later, in Aitana, the perception of his rivals had changed. But it wasn't Tadej, obviously. But he was able to dominate his adversaries, who suddenly discovered a predator with fewer claws and teeth than Pogacar (who can have them?). But with enough to become the alpha male of the pack. And if before the tenors ran from the beginning to escort Pogacar on the podium, now they do so to occupy Enric's right and left.
There is still, perhaps, no hopeless fatalism in Enric's rivals, and many things can still happen, let them tell "Pogi." But the idea that Mas is the most powerful in the race is spreading with more and more conviction. Enric therefore continued with his daily accumulation of protective seconds before Thursday's time trial. Now he has Roglic beyond the protective border of two minutes (2:10), even behind Gall (2:06). Carapaz, at 4:24. It seems enough. But, in addition, last-minute qualifying is not entirely for specialists, but for the strongest. And Enric seems to have an advantage over everyone in that order, not just Primoz.
The Andalusian heat
It is curious that, in cycling, red was associated with the last placed. The one who closed the classification was "the red lantern." An expression in complete disuse, just like "the broom car", or the words "domestic" and "water carrier", both replaced by "gregarious". In the Vuelta, red designates the leader. And that leader, in form and substance, is called Enric Mas.
A mid-mountain route, between Palma del Río and Córdoba, 190 km. With three third-class ports in "the frying pan of Andalusia", in Spain, Sunday awaits the runners. Enric is like a mythological salamander, a creature that is in its element in fire. But temperatures, for him and for everyone, have reached dangerous levels. For years, climate change, and in growing flames, has turned the south and center of the country into hell, even in September. Perhaps the Vuelta should consider in the future not returning, at least for so many days, to the Pedro Botero boilers.
For now, La Vuelta has decided to shorten Sunday's stage by 80 kilometers due to the weather. "With the aim of preserving the health of the cyclists and guaranteeing the best possible conditions for the development of the competition, the weather protocol is activated," the organization wrote in a statement.
