Opinion: Movistar will hope that Remco Evenepoel doesn't become weapon of Mas destruction in La Vuelta

And then there were two. Primoz Roglic’s withdrawal from La Vuelta following his dramatic crash on the home straight of Stage 16 means Movistar’s Enric Mas remains the only real threat between Remco Evenepoel and the top step of the podium in Madrid on Sunday. Mas has ridden a solid if unspectacular fifth Vuelta.

None of the GC contenders has as many top 10 finishes as the man in red as the 27-year-old Spaniard, yet never has Mas looked likely to blow up this race in the way that Roglic could well have done had he not been floored at the very moment he was pulling the trigger. Ad The 42 seconds Mas gained over Evenepoel in Sierra Nevada on Sunday represent the sole occasion that he has put the Belgian tyro under serious pressure in this Vuelta. But it came on what was arguably the only occasion where Mas was likely to inflict any sizable damage.

Vuelta a EspañaMas needs to put Evenepoel on 'back foot… sooner rather than later' — Blythe2 HOURS AGO That Mas has not yet given up is music to the ears of those fans who still hope there’s life in this Vuelta yet. In the wake of Rigoberto Uran’s brilliant win from the breakaway at the Monasterio de Tentudia, Mas attempted on numerous occasions to shrug off his red shadow on the final Cat.2 climb of Stage 17. But these gentle climbs are manna from heaven for Evenepoel; he could devour them for breakfast with his eyes closed.