Enrique More (Movistar) was shown ambitious and motivated on the second rest day of the Vuelta, which arrived in Alicante from Asturias.
The Mallorcan cyclist, although he prefers try “day by day”is willing to play “all or nothing for the general classification”, once he has diminished the doubts about himself that he expressed at the start of Utrecht on the 19th.
“I live from day to day. In the Netherlands I had more doubts than now, but there are still some. On the road I have been with the strongest and that motivates. Regarding the personal doubts I may have, I have worked during the period between the Tour and Vuelta, then I had the Covid problem, a period with more rest than training. I keep asking myself questions that I am answering positively, I hope to continue like this until the end of the Vuelta”, said the Movistar leader.
But, twice second in the Vuelta, he is aware of the need for Movistar to save the category, an issue that will be proportional to his role in the general classification, for which he is willing to fight until Madrid.
“I’m going to sacrifice to win the Vuelta, I am aware of the points issue, and the further ahead it is, the more points we will have. We cannot commit suicide by the general, nor give up the points. I would like to do an all or nothing for the Vuelta”, he pointed out.
“Without a doubt, Evenepoel is the strongest”
Mas, second overall at 1.12 of Remco Evenepoel admits superiority of the Belgian so far, but he does not forget that the Slovenian Primoz Roglic has won 3 laps and that he can progress.
“Remco is the strongest, I don’t know if it can burst one day, but it has been the best throughout the Vuelta, it is giving its best version since it became professionals. Until the contrary is proven, we have to accept it that way”.
About Primoz Roglic, the Balearic cyclist warns of the quality and winning mentality of a rider adapted to the Vuelta like no other.
“Primoz now has a time trial that is going very well for him. If he progresses, he will show that he is a crack in that field. He has won 3 Vueltas and this year he has come to win, he is a rider who plays all or nothing. If he can’t surprise in Sierra Nevada he will try it in Madrid. I hope to be at his level,” he explained.
“Rodríguez and Ayuso can resurrect Spanish cycling”
Asked about the role of Carlos Rodríguez and Juan Ayuso, fourth and fifth overall, Enric Mas showed no doubts about the relevance that both riders can have.
“They are very young and we are seeing that they are doing very well, both of themThey have a great future ahead. Yesterday we saw them perform at a very high level in Les Praeres. It is the first big one for both of them and they have to go day by day. Now comes Juan’s land, which is from Alicante, and then Carlos’s in Granada. They are rivals, but I see that Spanish cycling is resurrecting, it is clear that we have young riders who are going to win important races”, he assured.
Before the time trial this Tuesday in Alicante, Mas hopes to offer his best version, even knowing how difficult it will be for the favorites, precisely Evenepoel and Roglic.
“It will be stage 10, we are already tired, but I hope to do a good time trial. I hope to play a decent role and not waste too much time. I have not thought about what I can lose, I will give everything. Sometimes I have done good times and I hope that this time it will be like that”, he concluded.
Evenepoel: “As a leader I enjoy a great rest day”
the belgian Remco Evenepoel (Quick Step), leader of the Vuelta, spent a pleasant rest day in Alicante as leader of the Vuelta España, with an advantage that he did not count on beforehand, but he recalled that has not won any stage yetwhich he still considers a goal in the race.
“It’s been a very tough week, but I have had good feelings and I have recovered well. Wearing the red jersey before the time trial is the best way to spend the rest day. Obviously we hadn’t planned for this situation, but it’s better than being 2 or 3 minutes behind,” he said.
For Evenepoel, who faces his second big test after his failed attempt at the 2021 Giro, the fact of having successfully passed the first mountain stages “has been a dream”, but he still has the thorn in his side for not having raised his arms in a goal.
“I haven’t won a stage yet, so that’s still my main goal. It is very special to wear the leader’s jersey and be in front of the best climbers in the world. It’s a dream that’s coming true, but I also want a stage win on a Grand Tour. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow in the time trial, she explained.
Evenepoel highlighted the work of his entire team so far, especially the double French World Champion Julian Alaphilippe.
“Carrying Alaphlippe in front is like sitting on a sofa. The team is better known in the classics, but what we have shown this week is really special. I think that with Ineos we are the best represented team on the last climbs, four cyclists with me. I think Quick Step has shown its strength on the mountain,” he noted.
The leader of the Vuelta highlighted the work of the rainbow jersey of the world peloton, now acting as a domestique.
“Just following him goes all right. Doing that in the rainbow jersey is impressive… I haven’t seen many world champions do what he does,” he concluded.
Ayuso: “I came more to leave flashes of quality, but I’m ambitious”
The young Spanish Juan Ayuso (UAE) assured that he came to this Vuelta a España more “to leave good flashes of quality and gain confidence for the future” than to “get results”, but, as he is “ambitious”, if he has the opportunity to “stay as far ahead as possible” he will “try”.
However, in a press conference offered this Wednesday on the rest day in Alicante, the Barcelonan revealed that he does not want to set “a goal” that he can “make a podium or win” because if he does not achieve it he could “consider himself a failure”, what I would consider unfair.
“Winning her I don’t even think about it, I go day by day, there is a long way to go and I don’t want to think much further. I, more than good results, came to leave flashes of quality. Although I am ambitious and if I can stay as far ahead as possible I will try, but I don’t want to set a goal because if I don’t achieve it it would seem like a failure and I think that is not the case,” said the Jávea-resident cyclist, to whom having these days close to family and close people gives him “a plus of motivation”.
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