Mas edges closer to Vuelta glory after avoiding major losses in stage 18 time trial
Mas limits losses to Roglic and has 1min 37sec lead Stefan Küng wins time trial ahead of Callum Thornley Enric Mas held on to his overall lead in a key individual time trial at the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday. Only three hilly stages remain in the Grand Tour. The time trial specialist Primoz Roglic moved up from third t
Enric Mas held on to his overall lead in a key individual time trial at the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday. Only three hilly stages remain in the Grand Tour.
The time trial specialist Primoz Roglic moved up from third to second overall and gained 33 seconds on Mas but remained 1 minute 37 seconds behind the Spaniard.
Felix Gall dropped from second to third, 3min 01sec behind Mas, who has held the overall lead since inheriting it from Tadej Pogacar after the five-time Tour de France champion crashed out in the eighth stage.
“The whole race went well, I lost less time than I expected, I’m happy with my day,” said Mas.
Primoz Roglic crosses the line in Jerez. Photograph: Marcelo del Pozo/ReutersThe Swiss rider Stefan Küng won the 18th stage, which followed a 32.1km route from El Puerto de Santa Maria to Jerez de la Frontera. Roglic was fourth in the stage, 19 seconds behind Küng, and Mas placed 12th, 52 seconds behind.
“In the end, you have to win,” said Küng. “[It] doesn’t matter how big the margin is. I’m super happy to take the win here. I’m alone on the podium today, but it’s a victory from the whole team.”
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Stage 19 on Friday is a 210.8km leg from Velez-Malaga to Penas Blancas. The Vuelta ends on Sunday in Granada.