Mas Protects Vuelta Lead as Küng Wins Stage 18 Time Trial

Enric Mas retained control of the Vuelta a España on Thursday after limiting his losses to Primoz Roglic in the stage 18 individual time trial. Mas finished 12th on the 32.1-kilometre route and emerged with a 1 minute 37 second advantage over Roglic in the general classification, according to reporting by the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse published by The Guardian.

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Switzerland's Stefan Küng won the stage, which ran from El Puerto de Santa Maria to Jerez de la Frontera. Roglic placed fourth, 19 seconds behind Küng, while Mas crossed the line 52 seconds behind the stage winner. That allowed Roglic to take 33 seconds out of the race leader without overturning Mas's substantial cushion.

The result also changed the order immediately behind Mas. Roglic advanced from third to second overall, while Felix Gall slipped from second to third. Gall ended the day 3 minutes 1 second behind Mas, leaving the Spaniard with two clear challengers at the top of the standings but a sizeable margin over both.

Mas has worn the leader's jersey since stage eight, when Tadej Pogacar crashed out of the race. The time trial presented a significant test because Roglic is a specialist in the discipline, but Mas said afterward that the ride had gone well and that he lost less time than he had expected. His performance preserved most of his advantage at a decisive point in the three-week race.

Küng's victory delivered the stage honours after he set the fastest time over the flat individual test. The Swiss rider credited his team for the result, emphasizing that the winning margin was less important than securing the victory. His performance denied Roglic the stage win even as the Slovenian strengthened his position in the contest for the overall title.

Three hilly stages remain before the Vuelta concludes on Sunday in Granada. Friday's stage 19 is scheduled to cover 210.8 kilometres from Velez-Malaga to Penas Blancas. Mas will take the red jersey into that leg with Roglic now his closest rival and Gall a further 1 minute 24 seconds behind second place.