Enric Mas doesn't want to look at the finish line of the Vuelta just yet. Yet, for the first time after so many years, the Movistar rider presents himself at the rest day of the Vuelta a España wearing the red jersey and with the awareness of having become the man to beat. Tadej Pogacar's withdrawal has completely changed the balance of the race, but Mas didn't wait for the Slovenian's misstep to take on the role of protagonist: in the ninth stage he attacked, he resisted and won on the Aitana climb, releasing all the tension accumulated over the past years.

Now the Majorcan leads the general classification with 1'20" advantage over Primoz Roglic, while the battle behind him remains wide open. Richard Carapaz is fifth, Felix Gall continues to show aggression and Oscar Onley remains among the men to keep an eye on. But it's Roglic, four-time Vuelta winner, who represents the first major obstacle on Mas's path.

And precisely for this reason, on the rest day, Enric chose not to be swept away by enthusiasm. The red jersey arrived at an unexpected moment. Mas hadn't started as the number one favorite and, above all, he had complicated months behind him. Now, however, everything seems to have changed.

«I'm cautious by nature, I've suffered many setbacks in my career, but these are perhaps the most beautiful sensations I've ever experienced. I was emotional like a child this morning when I put on the red jersey. We deserved it».

The victory at Aitana represented much more than a simple stage win. It was a liberation. Mas waited, observed and then chose the right moment to accelerate, arriving at the finish ahead of the other general classification contenders. «That climb seemed endless and then I managed to handle the final sprint very well mentally».

A statement that also tells the story of the new version of Enric Mas. Less tormented, more serene, aware of his own possibilities.
The red jersey inevitably changes responsibilities, but Mas and Movistar have no intention of turning every stage into an obsessive defense of the lead.

«Sunday morning, on the bus, we talked a bit about how we needed to turn the page after everything that happened the day before with the crashes. Now everything has changed and it's up to us».

But this doesn't mean the Spanish team is ready to control every kilometer.
«There are many stages we don't care about winning, and there will be many riders to help us in the sprints and even in breakaways. Simply, we'll stay calm and try to remain united».

A strategy that's also necessary because the Vuelta is still very long. Mas knows this well and doesn't want to make the mistake of already thinking about the final finish line.

Mas's comeback is also linked to Movistar's decision to modify his calendar. For years the Majorcan alternated between the Tour de France and the Vuelta, never managing to find the desired sensations in France. This year the team decided to focus on the Giro-Vuelta combination.

Eusebio Unzué doesn't want to attribute all the credit to this decision, but recognizes that the change had a precise logic.
«We don't know how much blame lies with the calendar. We maintained the calendar from previous years, with the Tour and the Vuelta. He never achieved success in France, and he even felt uncomfortable, so we decided to change it. He didn't do well at the Giro, but he laid the groundwork for his excellent result here».

The Giro d'Italia, in fact, hadn't delivered the Mas that Movistar hoped to see. But according to Unzué, it wasn't a failure to be blamed on the rider.

«It wasn't a failing grade to condemn him, but rather the awareness that his body hadn't fully recovered and couldn't express itself at its best. He couldn't be satisfied, but I didn't want to criticize his condition. Now, at the Vuelta, it's a very good or even exceptional performance».

Mas, however, doesn't want to turn this Vuelta into a redemption story. He doesn't consider the past few months a journey from hell to paradise and, above all, he doesn't believe he has radically changed his way of working.

«They were difficult moments, but not the worst of my professional life. It's clear that I've gone through tough periods, but there are things far more difficult than a bad crash or certain physical problems. It was hard to get out of that situation and regain form, but today we're happy to be here, in the shape we're in, and to be able to smile again at the Vuelta».

And further: «Nothing has changed. I've simply continued to do what I've always done: train well, take care of myself, try to do everything perfectly and enjoy the journey».

Even the duel with Pogacar on the gravel road, when Mas had managed to overtake the Slovenian, isn't considered a turning point. «Sure, it gives you confidence, but it doesn't change anything. Enric is the same as before».

At the Aitana finish line Mas shouted with all the strength he had. A liberating, almost angry celebration, that contained years of waiting, criticism and missed results. The Majorcan also explained where that shout came from.

«That shout comes from the 'penguins' of the team. The penguins are the young riders, as we call them. Chente gave it to them at the first training retreat we did three years ago, when they joined the team. We always say that, since we don't win much, when we do win we have to celebrate big. In my case, it had been eight years since I won a Grand Tour and four years since my last victory. So it was a shout of anger and joy».

The standings tell of a Vuelta completely different from what was imagined at the start. Pogacar is no longer here and now everyone is looking at Mas.
Enric Mas is first with 1'20" over Primoz Roglic. Behind them the situation is still very open, with Felix Gall, Oscar Onley and Richard Carapaz ready to exploit any moment of weakness.

Roglic represents the big question mark. The Slovenian arrived at the Vuelta with many doubts after the training accident that had put his participation in question. Now he's second and could be the most dangerous man for Mas in the coming weeks.
Carapaz, on the other hand, is further back, but has already shown he's willing to attack. Gall races aggressively and Onley represents a threat especially on the most explosive climbs.

Mas, however, doesn't want to make predictions. The question about the future is inevitable. The Spaniard's answer is simple.
«We have one goal only: keep the jersey». And to succeed will require above all calm and a united team.
«I believe my calm comes from my head and from keeping my feet on the ground. I think I'm going very well, my team is going very well, and that gives me peace of mind».

Unzué also prefers not to look too far ahead. The decisive stages still need to be studied in detail.
«To be honest? I have no idea. We haven't had the meeting yet. There are some stages that will clearly be crucial for the general classification, but from yesterday to today I haven't had time for anything, I haven't looked at anything».
A caution that perfectly reflects Mas as well. Because the Vuelta is still long and the red jersey, from today on, weighs much more than before.

«I suppose the others will want to overtake me, and I'll have to take advantage of these situations too. The race will speak for itself. For now we're the leaders, and it's up to the others to overtake us».

After years spent chasing a consecration that seemed never to arrive, Enric Mas is finally at the center of the Vuelta. Spain watches him with hope, Movistar has returned to leading a Grand Tour and the Majorcan, for once, doesn't have to chase anyone and now, it's the others who have to catch him.