Twenty TT Wins for Roglič, Zero for Mas: What This Means for Crucial Vuelta Stage

Can Primož Roglič turn back the clock and pull out one of the best time trials of his career?

Can Enric Mas do enough to block any resurgence by the four time Vuelta a España winner?

The race is heading towards the remaining three most decisive stages for the GC, with the TT being the first of those.

As a result, those two questions will become more and more important as the days and hours tick down to Thursday’s big time trial.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. And while the TT is primarily flat, the 32.5km test is the second-longest WorldTour time trial of the whole season and will give plenty of scope for time gains for the strongest riders.

Many suggest this could hand Primož Roglič the advantage he has been chasing all race.

“I have to keep doing what I do, to not give up,” he told Marca. “Day after day I put everything I have.”

The Slovenian was hit by a car during his buildup and hasn’t been at full strength as a result. He freely admitted before the Vuelta that he wasn’t able to train as he wished, with bruising affecting him badly.

Still, he’s surprised himself with how well he has been going. He currently sits third overall, 2:10 behind race leader Enric Mas and four seconds behind Felix Gall, and has everything to race for.

“I was surprised,” he said, when asked about his reaction to Mas’ performances.

“I would like to be as good as he is, but I know how I came to La Vuelta and how I have faced it. With rehabilitation and preparation, I’m not at my best, but on a good level.

“I’m very happy. It’s probably the best level I’ve had this season.”

Will it be enough? We’ll see this week.

‘Little and much left at the same time’

Roglič was the 2021 Olympic time trial champion and has won a staggering 20 TTs during his career. Four of these have been at the Vuelta. And while his most recent TT victory outside the Slovenian nationals TT victory was in 2024, he’s hoping to turn back the clock and put in a huge performance on Thursday.

Mas is a very different type of rider.

He’s only clocked up seven wins during his career, a fraction of the 92 nabbed by Roglič. Zero have been in time trials. In fact, his best placing in a time trial both he and Roglič competed in was a trio of ninth places.

Roglič has beaten him in every one of their 22 previous TT encounters.

Mas is, to be blunt, not a good time trialist.

Still, he does have over two minutes of a buffer. What can we expect?

The biggest clue is the stage 1 TTT in Monaco at the start of the race. Mas finished back in 50th place. Roglič, still struggling due to the injuries he brought into the race, was 24th.

He took 11 seconds out of Mas over the 9.4km distance. Thursday’s TT is slightly more than three times as long; even so, making up two minutes seems highly unlikely.

Even Roglič agrees.

“I don’t think so,” he replied, when asked if the time trial would be enough to overturn things. “The rivals are going very fast and I’m losing time. Every second I can gain before the time trial will be good. There is little and much left at the same time.”

He emphasizes he is not throwing in the towel and that he will keep trying. Picking up time bonuses or opening a gap beforehand would be a boost; otherwise, he’ll hope for a turnaround in form for the remaining mountain stages.

“I have to keep doing what I do, not give up. Day after day I put in everything I have,” he said. “Then the situation and the rivals will show what my situation is at all times. It is time to persist.”

‘There are other important stages’

These will be nervous days for Mas. He never led a grand tour prior to the Vuelta but has been the center of attention for over a week now and is still learning how to handle things.

Still, he gives the impression he’s enjoying the whole experience.

“After the stages there are protocols I had never done, but I like it,” he told Marca. “It’s a very happy time in my life. I’m approaching it with enthusiasm and I’m happy to go through all of this. In sports terms, it’s a very happy moment, I don’t know if the happiest, but definitely one of the happiest. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

Holding onto the red jersey is a huge priority and even if the pressure will build in the days ahead, he insists he is not scared of the TT.

“It’s not just the time trial that’s key, there are other important stages,” he said. “After the time trial, there are more mountain days. We don’t have to fear the time trial day because it’s just one day out of 20 of the race,” he confirmed.

He’s also not blasé about the challenge he is facing. He’s got respect for his rivals and knows he needs to be careful.

“Primož is third overall, he’s not in 16th. You can never count him out,” he said. “He’s showing a great level. He knows what it’s like to win a Vuelta because he’s won four,” he confirms.

“Besides Gall and Roglič, there are more riders to watch out for. The standings are there and we can’t let our guard down at any moment.”