Mallorca's Mas holds Vuelta lead as Roglic cuts 33s

Mallorca rider Enric Mas keeps the red jersey at the Vuelta a España 2026 after limiting Primoz Roglic’s gain to 33.27 seconds in Thursday’s time trial at Jerez de la Frontera. Mas completed the 32.1-kilometre 18th stage from El Puerto de Santa María in 36:14.64. Roglic’s 35:41.37 leaves the Slovenian 1:37 behind the Movistar Team rider with three stages remaining.

Swiss rider Stefan Küng won the stage in 35:22.82. Callum Thornley was second, 2.27 seconds back, with João Almeida third at 8.78 seconds.

Roglic gains early, Mas claws time back

Roglic was 21.80 seconds quicker than Mas at the first intermediate point, then extended that margin to 36.33 seconds after 22.1 kilometres. But Mas recovered ground over the closing kilometres, cutting the final loss to 33.27 seconds.

Roglic moves up to second overall. Felix Gall drops to third, 3:01 behind Mas, after losing 55 seconds to the Mallorcan in the time trial.

Mas told TVE that his team had expected to lose less time than many people had predicted. He said he had ridden better time trials before, but called this one important.

Mountain finish awaits on Friday

The Vuelta heads into the mountains on Friday for the 210.8-kilometre stage from Vélez-Málaga to Peñas Blancas in Estepona. After a flat start, the route has three classified climbs.

The final ascent runs for 18.8 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.5 per cent. Mas takes his 1:37 advantage over Roglic into the mountain finish.

Topics: Sport

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com