Mas 'fulfils his destiny' to win historic Vuelta
Enric Mas has finished second overall three times at his home grand tour, the Vuelta a España. But in 2026 he finally ended Spain's drought for a home-grown victor after 12 years.
Enric Mas secured the historic Vuelta a España title, claiming his first grand tour victory. Fellow Spaniard Primož Roglič secured second place, 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind, while Austria's Felix Gall finished third. This marked the first time a Spanish rider won the Vuelta since Alberto Contador in 2014. Mas, 31, had reached the final stage, won by Norway's Tobias Johannessen, with the expectation that he would fulfill the high hopes placed on him.
He finished safely in the peloton during the final stage, held off Roglič, and expressed his delight in the achievement. Five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar had been the favorite, but crashed out of the race, allowing Mas to claim the victory. Mas had previously finished second in the Vuelta a España in 2018, 2021, and 2022, and third in 2024.
Contador praised Mas for his hard work and dedication, acknowledging that he deserved his well-deserved victory.
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