On the cruel slopes of La Pandera, and in the metamorphic process that, to the amazement and wonder of insiders and outsiders alike, it is undergoing, Enric Mas maintained his leadership. Not only did he maintain it: he reinforced it by finishing 4:12 behind the winner, with Felix Gall as the spearhead of the group of favorites. Roglic, powerless, gave way in relation to both. Even more so Carapaz, winner on those trails in 2022, where Enric had such a hard time. Those were different times…
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The stage fell into the heroic hands of Marco Brenner (Tudor), ahead of Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain), king of the mountain, both the last survivors of a 45-man breakaway that gradually dissolved along the way, through the 2nd category climbs of Villares and Locubín, and finally La Pandera.
Also on La Pandera, the peloton of illustrious riders melted under the heat and fatigue, from which Mas and Gall emerged. The Balearic, dominant, had the help of García Pierna, strategically dropped as a bridgehead for the large breakaway. Castrillo, also focused on that goal, could not respond to the same extent. But his participation 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 more respected than feared. Those who lowered their heads before a glance from the Slovenian saw Enric as more prey than master. Enric was approachable, vulnerable.
Only 24 hours later, in Aitana, the perception of his rivals had changed. Mas was not Tadej, obviously. But he was enough 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 start to escort Pogacar on the podium, now they do so to occupy Enric’s right and left sides.
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There is perhaps not yet fatalism without hope among Enric‘s rivals, and many things can still happen, just ask “Pogi”. But the idea that Mas is the most powerful in the race is increasingly convincing. Enric continued, then, with his daily accumulation of protective seconds ahead of Thursday’s time trial. He now has Roglic beyond the protective two-minute border (2:10), even behind Gall (2:06). Carapaz, at 4:24. It seems enough. But also, the late time trials are not entirely for specialists, but for the strongest. And Enric seems to lead them all in that order, not just Primoz.
The Andalusian heat
It is curious that, in cycling, red was associated with the last classified. The one closing the classification was “the red lantern.” An expression completely out of use, just like “the broom wagon,” or the words “domestic” and “water carrier,” both replaced by “gregario.” 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, of 190 km with three 3rd category climbs in “the frying pan of Andalusia,” of Spain, awaits the riders on Sunday. Enric is like a mythological salamander, a creature that is in its element in fire. But the temperatures, for him and for everyone, have reached dangerous levels. For years, climate change, and in increasing heat, has turned the south and center of the country into a furnace, even in September. Perhaps the Vuelta should consider not returning in the future, at least for so many stages, to the boilers of Pedro Botero.
