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Enric Mas, Carlos Rodriguez and Juan Ayuso - the Spanish trio keeping Remco Evenepoel on his toes at La Vuelta

It’s been a while since Spain had three riders in the top five of a Grand Tour. But the host nation enters Monday’s second rest day of La Vuelta with two stage wins already in the bag, Enric Mas the best placed rider behind the red jersey, and debutants Carlos Rodriguez and Juan Ayuso looking mature beyond their years (which, combined, still makes them younger than compatriot Alejandro Valverde).

La Vuelta 2022 – How to watch Stage 9 on Sunday, TV and live stream details, timings and route map

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) has ticked off part one of ‘Project Survive Brutal Weekend’ but he can expect to come under more attacks on Sunday's run from Villaviciosa to Les Praeres. The Belgian heads into Stage 9 with a 28-second lead over Enric Mas (Movistar), with three-time defending champion Primoz Roglic at 1’01”. Ad So what’s in store for the peloton before the second rest day at La Vuelta? Vuelta a EspañaVine doubles up in mist as Roglic glues to Evenepoel17 HOURS AGO When the Vuelta last had a stage that finished on the Les Praeres de Nava the win went to Simon Yates ahead of Miguel Angel Lopez and Alejandro Valverde, the British climber going back into the red jersey that he would wear all the way to Madrid.

La Vuelta 2022 - ‘Are you stupid or what?’ - Movistar Rider Enric Mas confronts fan in heated exchange

Enric Mas was involved in a tense exchange at La Vuelta. A fan tweeted a video, which was later deleted, where the pair have a heated argument after the spectator called Mas a “moron”.

Primoz Roglic in red at La Vuelta after Stage 4 success – but likely to loan out jersey before long

Death, taxes, and Primoz Roglic winning the Vuelta after Tour or Giro heartbreak: in this world, some things are certain. With La Vuelta hitting Spanish soil for the first time this year on Tuesday, it was very much a case of deja-vu at the business end of Stage 4 from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Laguardia, a lumpy ride through the Basque Country with over 2,000m of climbing. Ad Punchy uphill sprints have become synonymous with Roglic in Spain as they were in bygone days with Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde.

La Vuelta 2022: 'We are happy to get out of here' - Riders criticise 'very nervous' start in Netherlands

Alejandro Valverde, Mikel Landa and Wilco Kelderman have all criticised the start to the 2022 Vuelta a Espana, suggesting that the route was too narrow and technical to accommodate such a large peloton. Three weeks of racing at the final Grand Tour of the year commenced with three days in the Netherlands, incorporating a team time-trial and two pan-flat sprinting days which provided few stern tests as Sam Bennett took back-to-back wins.

Primoz Roglic's to lose? The red jersey contenders hoping to surprise the Slovenian at La Vuelta 2022

A month after withdrawing from the Tour de France with a fractured vertebrae, Primoz Roglic will return to action at the Vuelta a Espana in his bid to win a fourth successive red jersey. A course that features fewer steep climbs than usual, an opening team time trial plus a 30km flat individual race against the clock, should suit the 32-year-old Slovenian and his Jumbo-Visma team – provided Roglic has fully recovered from the knock that forced him out of the Tour for a second year running.

On this day in 2015: Chris Froome wins second Tour de France title

Chris Froome had to conquer demons in his mind when winning a second Tour de France title on this day in 2015.

On this day in 2015 – Chris Froome wins second Tour de France title

Chris Froome had to conquer demons in his mind when winning a second Tour de France title on this day in 2015.

Contacts

Alejandro Valverde Sport News

Enric Mas, Carlos Rodriguez and Juan Ayuso - the Spanish trio keeping Remco Evenepoel on his toes at La Vuelta

La Vuelta 2022 – How to watch Stage 9 on Sunday, TV and live stream details, timings and route map

La Vuelta 2022 - ‘Are you stupid or what?’ - Movistar Rider Enric Mas confronts fan in heated exchange

Primoz Roglic in red at La Vuelta after Stage 4 success – but likely to loan out jersey before long

La Vuelta 2022: 'We are happy to get out of here' - Riders criticise 'very nervous' start in Netherlands

Primoz Roglic's to lose? The red jersey contenders hoping to surprise the Slovenian at La Vuelta 2022

On this day in 2015: Chris Froome wins second Tour de France title

On this day in 2015 – Chris Froome wins second Tour de France title