Mas and López are very even players resultswise tbo, career lenghts aso. As Movistar is now considering termination of López's contract I say it's epitome of stupidity of the team management. First, if team let López get up to the front group in stage 20 (if he could get there) it would have broaden result potential for the team. Movi for 2nd and 3rd in gc. But no and so it was nationalistic decision made. Nothing new for Movistar. Not dedicated Sky/Ineos fan here but if Mas and López were in those jerseys, there would not been this drama to be seen.
Mas btw did quite lousy tt which shows how on the ropes he was afterall. Lopez was a non-spanish problem as he sure would have done better tt. Maybe Movi was collapsing also for the fact that spaniards were getting zero stage wins in all Gran Tours in 2021.
Second, I tend to believe there are teams that see athletes mental training potential: stress, anger, pain, fear aso management leading better overall performance. Spanish team with temper tantrum written deeply in nations genetics, is it the best platform for temper tantrum athlete? Sometimes yes sometimes not.
Haha..for fairness sake if all one is looking for is sponsor coverage, hype et al, I suggest something else than procycling

niche sport after all amongst big (pro sports business) players.