Four years later. Enric Mas's roar will certainly not become a famous painting, but the Spaniard has demonstrated that he didn't find the red jersey on his shoulders by pure chance: the Movistar captain triumphs in the ninth stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España, the Villajoyosa-Alto de Aitana covering 187.5 km, reinforcing his lead in the general classification. A success built with patience and strategy, without overextending himself in the final 20 kilometers, the most complicated section of an extremely difficult stage. Second place for British rider Oscar Onley, third Primoz Roglic, forced to abdicate in the finale: now the gap in the general classification stands at 1'18".

THE STAGE. It was a complicated race, tough from the opening pedal strokes: Embret Svestad-Bårdsen (Netcompany Ineos), Ramses Debruyne (Alpecin PremierTech), Valentin Paret-Peintre and Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step), Raul Garcia (Movistar Team), Santiago Buitrago and Attila Valter (Bahrain Victorious), Urko Berrade (Equipo Kern Pharma), Pavel Sivakov and Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), Gijs Leemreize (Team Picnic PostNL), Marcel Camprubè, Walter Calzoni and Milan Vader (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Bruno Armirail (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Stefan Kung (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), José Manuel Díaz (Burgos Burpellet BH), Pau Martí (NSN Cycling Team), Alexey Lutsenko (NSN Cycling Team), Andreas Kron and Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility), Finn Fisher-Black and Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) and Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana Team) gained ground on the peloton, setting the pace at the front. Subsequently the breakaway grew to 24 riders, with the general classification contenders allowing approximately 5'30" of advantage to those seeking stage victory.

Among the most aggressive Santiago Buitrago, hunting points for the polka dot jersey as best climber, and Alessandro Romele, who after the fourth categorized climb of the day attempted an attack followed closely by Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Marcel Camprubè (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team). On the final climb - a total of 20 kilometers - practically everything happened, with the race's lead completely overturned within a few kilometers: Sivakov launched in pursuit of victory to dedicate it to his teammate Tadej Pogacar, the group of favorites recovered ground closing the gap on the Frenchman. Felix Gall was the first to attempt an attack, with Richard Carapaz quick to respond. In turn everyone tried to put Enric Mas in difficulty, but the leader of the Corsa Roja first managed the pace before setting the decisive rhythm in the final two kilometers: Oscar Onley settled for second place, Roglic arrived 12" back.

«I can understand what Tadej feels wearing the red jersey - the Spaniard declared immediately after the finish line -, we were magnificent as a team, I believe everyone did a ten out of ten job, we stayed calm all day, we controlled well, then in the finale I felt fantastic. I think this is the most beautiful victory of my career, now we go forward day after day. I've received a lot of criticism in recent years, it was really wonderful to win in the red jersey». Tomorrow is the first rest day, then we'll restart with the tenth stage, the Alcaraz-Elche de la Sierra covering 184.7 km, a hilly stage that could favor long-range breakaways.

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STAGE RESULTS

1. Enric Mas ESP (Movistar Team) in 5h10'40"

2. Oscar Onley GBR (Netcompany INEOS) s.t.

3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) +12"

4. Felix Gall AUT (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +18"

5. Cristian Rodriguez ESP (XDS Astana Team) +20"

6. Mattias Skjelmose DEN (Lidl-Trek) s.t.

7. Jarno Widar BEL (Lotto Intermarché) +25"

8. Harold Tejada COL (XDS Astana Team) +33"

9. Richard Carapaz ECU (EF Education EasyPost) +54"

10. Santiago Buitrago COL (Bahrain Victorious) +1'41"

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Enric Mas ESP (Movistar Team) in 28h34'03"

2. Primoz Roglic SLO (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) +1'18"

3. Felix Gall AUT (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +1'39"

4. Oscar Onley GBR (Netcompany INEOS) +2'20"

5. Richard Carapaz ECU (EF Education EasyPost) +3'26"

6. Mattias Skjelmose DEN (Lidl-Trek) +3'55"

7. Sepp Kuss USA (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +4'09"

8. Harold Tejada COL (XDS Astana Team) +4'39"

9. Gregor Muhlberger AUT (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +7'33"

10. Jakob Omrzel SLO (Bahrain Victorious) +8'05"