Enric Mas Rising Star

[Gigs_98]

What a Vuelta. 2nd place in a grand tour, a stage win and all that with only 23 years. Just incredible

 

[Carols]

Enric Rocks!!! . Boy needs a Team though. QS not the best support in GTs

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Re:

Enric Rocks!!! . Boy needs a Team though. QS not the best support in GTs

Well, should Landa fail to deliver soon and Valverde piling on the years, surely Movistar will be out with the bait.

 

[SafeBet]

Super happy with his performance. At the beginning I thought a top5 would be a reasonable result, but as the days passed it was clear he could aim at the podium. He learnt from yesterday's mistake too.

A champion is born.

 

[Flamin]

Would have liked to see when he was going to make his move without Yates triggering/helping him.

But what a race, hats off.

 

[Salvarani]

What a strong third week and great to get a stage. Hopefully he has a great off-season and ready for next year

Giro + Vuelta maybe?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Definitely Giro + Vuelta for Mas, thats a pretty obvious one I think.

 

[Laplaz]

He has to change team. QS will never support him 100%. Bahrain-Merida would be great (for the post-Nibali time).

 

[Red Rick]

Definitely Giro, and then I'm not even sure if it's time for doubles already or if I'd wait another year with that.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I'm quite looking forward to the next few years with all these young riders coming through. Next year could be old v's new. What a battle it could turn out to be.

 

[Akuryo]

He extended with QS for two more years after his first season, so he will be on their team next season. But if that is as successful as this one, he will be (very) hard to keep.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

He extended with QS for two more years after his first season, so he will be on their team next season. But if that is as successful as this one, he will be (very) hard to keep.

Interesting that after 2019 his contract comes up as does both Landa and Quintana. Possible Movistar decides to not keep both of them and goes after Mas instead?

 

[Flamin]

Re:

He has to change team. QS will never support him 100%. Bahrain-Merida would be great (for the post-Nibali time).

Yeah, they're not good enough when it comes to supporting a top GC rider atm. Even less so next year with De Plus leaving. If they want to keep Mas (and looking a bit further ahead, Evenepoel as well), surely something has to change from 2020 onwards.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Really massive Vuelta for him. I was sceptical at first, not of his obvious climbing talent, but of him stringing it together for 3 weeks, having not even that many great 1 week GC results. But this was special.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re:

Really massive Vuelta for him. I was sceptical at first, not of his obvious climbing talent, but of him stringing it together for 3 weeks, having not even that many great 1 week GC results. But this was special.

Agreed.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Honestly he's got everything to win GTs. Great climber, solid TT and amazing recovery especially considering his age. He just seemed to get stronger and stronger. Curious to see how he will perform next year.

 

[Tonton]

I'm very impressed. Great rider and great future for him. I can see him on the Giro next year...the double? Maybe in '20, and the Tour in '21. Top-notch climbing, good ITT...congrats Enric for a well-deserved win and podium.

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

Honestly he's got everything to win GTs. Great climber, solid TT and amazing recovery especially considering his age. He just seemed to get stronger and stronger. Curious to see how he will perform next year.

He still needs to prove he can be dominant on longer climbs. This Vuelta lacked big mountains, even more than a standard route. Hopefully next year he'll ride the Giro.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Superb ride over the past three weeks and fully deserves his spot on the podium. I'm excited to see how he progresses next year and what his targets will be.

 

[del1962]

Was a great ride,

from his interviews he wants to ride the tour next year

 

[LaFlorecita]

The negative side of his Vuelta success: he'll be too expensive for next year's CQ game!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Honestly he's got everything to win GTs. Great climber, solid TT and amazing recovery especially considering his age. He just seemed to get stronger and stronger. Curious to see how he will perform next year.

He still needs to prove he can be dominant on longer climbs. This Vuelta lacked big mountains, even more than a standard route. Hopefully next year he'll ride the Giro.

I think he showed enough in the high mountains of Andorra (I know they werent the most difficult), it was a proper mountain stage despite it only being 100 km. It was raced hard.

 

[Breh]

He does have one of the best teams for echelons, positioning, TTT's, classics,...

But eventually he'll either have to move or Lefevere has to bring in some climbers.

 

[Koronin]

The negative side of his Vuelta success: he'll be too expensive for next year's CQ game!

He's under contract through next year.

 

[perico]

Re:

He does have one of the best teams for echelons, positioning, TTT's, classics,...

But eventually he'll either have to move or Lefevere has to bring in some climbers.

The cupboards not completely bare of climbers, but they would have to convince the other riders of sacrificing their own goals. Problem is I don’t see Alaphilippe or Jungels willing to work for anyone without a Contador/Nibali/Valverde/Froome type of palmares. Devényns proved himself to be a great domestique over the Vuelta, especially on the last stages. Not a natural climber, but he was great help to Enric in regards to positioning on the climbs. Problem is he’s old as hell. Maybe Enric’s success will help Lefevre in his sponsor search now that he has a confirmed GC rider with the ability to win. The Bertie connection can’t hurt since the “next Contador” label will draw attention.