Enric Mas clinches first Grand Tour victory, ending Spain’s Vuelta drought

Movistar rider Enric Mas delivered a long-awaited triumph by winning the Vuelta a España, the first Spanish overall victory since Alberto Contador in 2014. He solidified his lead on the grueling Sierra Nevada stage, establishing a gap of over two minutes before the final flat stage in Granada, which was won by Uno-X Mobility’s Tobias Johannessen. Mas completed the race two minutes and 15 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with Felix Gall of Decathlon CMA CGM Team in third.

The race dynamics shifted after Tadej Pogacar, the pre-race favourite, crashed on stage eight, ending his bid for a Grand Tour hat-trick. Mas held off Roglic’s late attack on stage 20, securing the general classification and denying the Slovenian a record fifth Vuelta title. He celebrated with his Movistar teammates and thanked his family and supporters for their role in his success.