Enric Mas Vuelta victory ended Spain’s 12-year wait for a home winner after a controlled final day in Granada. Mas finished ahead of Primož Roglič and Felix Gall, completing a race that reshaped expectations around all three podium riders.
Mas entered the Vuelta a España with questions around his form and durability. Roglič arrived with even more uncertainty after a disrupted build-up. Gall started with growing Grand Tour credentials, then confirmed them with another podium ride.
Enric Mas Vuelta victory built on climbing authority
Mas took command after a decisive opening week. On stage 6, he was the only rider able to catch Tadej Pogačar and stay with him. Two days later, Pogačar crashed out, and Mas inherited the red jersey.
From there, Mas defended the lead through every major test. He looked strongest on the climbs until Gall clawed back 17 seconds on Saturday’s final mountain stage. That attack narrowed the margin but came too late to change the race.
Mas began the final stage 2:15 ahead of Roglič and 2:44 ahead of Gall. A crash remained the main danger, but no late disaster struck on the roads of Granada.
Organizers also reduced the stakes before the finish. They announced that the general classification would be neutralized with one lap remaining because of safety concerns.
Mas called the day “special” after securing the overall win. He also said the final stage ran smoothly, allowing him and Movistar to enjoy every kilometer.
The victory carried added weight because of Mas’s history in the race. He had finished second overall three times and third once, yet he was not among the top pre-race favorites this year.
His last two seasons had brought uneven results. His problems dated back to a crash on the descent of the Mûr-de-Bretagne during the 2025 Tour de France, where he abandoned.
Doctors later diagnosed him with thrombophlebitis, possibly linked to the crash. The condition involves a blood clot and resembles varicose veins. It ended his season early, and he underwent surgery last October.
Mas started this season with second place in his debut race. He then rode a quiet Giro d’Italia and faced public criticism from Movistar boss Eusebio Unzué, who told AS in May that his race performances deserved “a fail.”
That judgment looks very different after Mas became the first Spanish winner of the Vuelta in 12 years. Mas described the journey as long and complex, then called this race the “special one.”
Roglič salvages second after disrupted preparation
Roglič reached Granada from a very different career position. He had already won the Vuelta a record-equalling four times, but his recent condition remained uncertain.
He had not reached peak form since winning the Volta a Catalunya in April 2025. His preparation then suffered another blow when a car hit him before the race.
The incident created serious doubt over his participation. Roglič still started, partly because the race began at home in Monaco. At that point, he was struggling to walk properly and sleep well.
His opening time trial showed the impact. Roglič finished 24th in a discipline where he usually excels. Three weeks later, he stood second overall and described the result as beautiful.
Roglič said second place felt like a victory for him after such a difficult approach. He congratulated Mas and Movistar, adding that they deserved the win.
The final gap also showed what might have been possible with a smoother build-up. His Vuelta performance should encourage him before the upcoming world championships, especially if his form continues to improve.
Roglič also acknowledged that Pogačar’s exit changed the race. He said nobody wanted that crash to happen, but it moved other contenders one place higher.
Gall confirms Grand Tour rise with another podium
Gall kept pressure on the front of the race with repeated climbing attacks. He ranked among the strongest climbers at the Vuelta and forced late suspense.
His overall hopes suffered in the stage 18 time trial. He conceded almost a minute to Mas and even more to Roglič, dropping from second to third overall.
Gall responded on Saturday’s final mountain stage by dropping both Roglič and Mas on the last climb. The move gave Roglič a scare, but it could not overturn the podium order.
The Austrian had already finished second overall to Jonas Vingegaard at the Giro d’Italia. Repeating a Grand Tour podium at the Vuelta marked another major step.
Gall said his main goal for the year was a Grand Tour podium. After achieving that at the Giro, he called it fantastic to repeat the result at the Vuelta.
He also credited Decathlon CMA CGM for committing fully to his podium bid. The team ended the race with the best team award, adding another reward to Gall’s third place.
Gall, now 28, continues to progress after five years with the squad. Paul Seixas may be Decathlon’s biggest star, but Gall’s development remains one of its strongest Grand Tour stories.
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