Back into the White Jersey and one place higher on the GC. @_rccarlos gave us his thoughts on stage 16 as he warmed down following the mighty Lagos de Covadonga #LaVuelta24
Mas calls for Spanish allies to challenge Roglic; Landa and Rodriguez ready to join forces
CyclingTuesday, 03 September 2024 at 21:48
The Vuelta a España seems to be slowly but surely leaning in favor of Primoz Roglic, but the organizers may hope for a final push from the home riders. Enric Mas and Mikel Landa put Roglic under pressure again in the sixteenth stage, while Carlos Rodriguez showed improvement in his fight for a top ten position.
Mas has never hidden his ambition to win the Vuelta. The 29-year-old Spaniard from Movistar finished second in 2018, 2021, and 2022, and he could well be heading for another silver in this edition. He is 1 minute and 20 seconds behind Roglic, but he believes that gap is bridgeable. "I felt good and tried several times," Mas told the Spanish media after the stage, referring to his attacks on the penultimate and final climbs.
Those efforts did not result in any time gain, but they did boost his confidence. "I did more work than others, but I eventually got support from competitors as well. Let's see what we can do with the help of others," he says, extending a hand to other riders in the top ten who might also be interested in a battle against Roglic. Think of riders like fourth-placed Richard Carapaz and fifth-placed Landa.
Read more below the photo.
Enric Mas
Landa and Rodriguez announce attacks
The Spaniard from Soudal-Quick Step put his team at the front of the peloton in stage fifteen, and he did so again the day after the second rest day. On the final climb to Lagos de Covadonga, Landa got out of the saddle early but was eventually overtaken. In the standings, however, he is only just over two minutes behind Roglic. "I tried something to see if perhaps a podium contender would crack, but that didn't happen."
That does not diminish Landa's attacking spirit, as he announces that he will try again. "With each passing day, it gets more difficult, but that also means there is less to lose every day." Rodriguez, representing INEOS Grenadiers in seventh place, further from the podium, agrees. However, the climber's legs seem to be getting stronger. "I felt good, even when the favorites already tried on the penultimate climb. My legs are good, and I was close to the best. Hopefully, I'll feel even better in the coming days and can try to attack."
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024