Mallorca's Mas wins Vuelta stage, extends red lead

Enric Mas of Mallorca has won the ninth stage of the Vuelta at the Alto de Aitana in Alicante, beating Britain’s Oscar Onley in the final sprint on Sunday. The 187-kilometre route began in Villajoyosa, Alicante, and included 5,200 metres of climbing. The Movistar Team rider retains the red jersey as the race’s overall leader.

Late attack seals the stage

Mas broke clear from the leading contenders in the closing kilometres. With 3 kilometres left, he attacked with Onley and Primoz Roglic on his wheel.

A further surge 1.8 kilometres from the line dropped Roglic. Onley held on behind Mas, but the Mallorcan rider had more in the sprint to take the stage.

Mas now leads Roglic by 1:18, while Austria’s Felix Gall is third at 1:39.

Rest day before the next stage

Mas took the red jersey on Saturday after Tadej Pogacar withdrew from the race. The Slovenian crashed 33 kilometres from the finish and suffered a broken collarbone and a cervical fracture, according to the source.

The Vuelta has its first rest day on Monday. Riders return on Tuesday for the 184.7-kilometre tenth stage from Alcaraz to Elche de la Sierra, a rolling route that could offer the breakaway a chance.

Topics: Sport

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com