Spain’s Enric Mas has extended his lead in the general classification during the next mountain stage of the Vuelta. At the mountain finish at Calar Alto, at an altitude of 2,140 metres, the 31-year-old finished sixth, having distanced his rivals with an attack eleven kilometres from the finish.
However, the stage victory went to 20-year-old Slovenian Jakob Omrzel, who also moved up to sixth place in the general classification. The compatriot of superstar Tadej Pogacar – who was forced to withdraw from the tour following a crash – was part of a large breakaway group and shook off his last companion, Urko Berrade, on the final climb. For the 20-year-old, this is the greatest success of his still-young career.
Mas now wears the red jersey, holding a lead of 1 minute and 45 seconds over the Slovenian Primož Roglič, who could, however, still make up some time on him in next week’s individual time trial. In third place is the Austrian Felix Gall, 2 minutes and 6 seconds behind.
First Gall, then Mas attacks
The 166.6-kilometre stage from Vera to Calar Alto featured two Category 1 climbs and a total elevation gain of just under 4,600 metres. There were numerous attacks right from the start. A strong group formed, which at times included as many as 30 professionals.
Mas’s team were working in the main field, but had to let the lead grow to more than seven and a half minutes. On the penultimate climb, the leading group gradually began to break up. Even the German Lennard Kämna was forced to drop back.
In the group of favourites, Gall’s team upped the pace until the Austrian launched his attack. Mas and Roglic were able to keep up, however, before the Spaniard then launched his own attack.
A breakaway victory is likely on Friday. The 192.8-kilometre stage between Almuñécar and Loja features more than 3,000 metres of climbing, although the final major climb comes just under forty kilometres from the finish. The tour concludes on 13 September in Granada.
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