In a thrilling return to the mountainous terrain of the Vuelta a Espana, Jakob Omrzel showcased his climbing prowess by winning stage 12, while Enric Mas further solidified his position at the top of the general classification. The stage featured five challenging climbs over a distance of 166.6 kilometers, culminating in a dramatic showdown that saw Mas increase his lead.
Omrzel, a 20-year-old rider from Slovenia, achieved a significant milestone by claiming his first Grand Tour stage victory. He executed a well-timed attack on the final 17-kilometer ascent to Calar Alto, managing to break away from his breakaway companions. He crossed the finish line with an impressive lead of nearly two minutes over Spain's Urko Berrade, who took second place, while Colombia's Santiago Buitrago rounded out the podium in third.
This victory not only marks a personal achievement for Omrzel but also moves him closer in the best young rider classification, as he is now just 30 seconds behind Oscar Onley, who faced a challenging day. Onley, riding for Netcompany Ineos, suffered an early crash and struggled to keep pace with the leading group, ultimately finishing over two minutes behind Mas and dropping to fifth in the overall standings.
Enric Mas, riding for Movistar, executed a strategic move approximately 13 kilometers from the finish line, breaking away from a small group that included notable competitors like four-time champion Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall. Despite the searing heat and the demanding course, Mas's late attack proved effective, allowing him to extend his overall lead by an additional 27 seconds. He finished the stage in sixth place, approximately three minutes behind Omrzel, but his overall lead now stands at 1 minute and 56 seconds.
The Vuelta has seen its share of drama this year, particularly with the unfortunate crash of Tadej Pogacar, who had been leading the race by nearly four minutes before suffering a broken collarbone on stage eight. His absence has opened the door for other competitors, allowing Mas to seize the opportunity to take command of the general classification.
As the Vuelta a Espana approaches its conclusion, the race will head to Andalusia, with stages still to come around the mountainous regions of Malaga and the Sierra Nevada in Granada. The final stages promise to be critical for all riders as they vie for the coveted red jersey.
Stage 12 results were as follows:
1. Jakob Omrzel (Slo/Bahrain Victorious) 4 hrs 29mins 53secs
2. Urko Berrade (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma) +1min 56secs
3. Santiago Buitrago (Col/Bahrain Victorious) +2mins 13secs
4. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz/NSN Cycling Team) +2mins 49secs
5. Mauri Vansevenant (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) +2mins 53secs
6. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar Team) +2mins 56secs
General classification after stage 12:
1. Enric Mas (Esp/Movistar) 40hrs 31mins 51secs
2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora - hansgrohe) +1min 45secs
3. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon CMA CGM Team) +2min 06secs
4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education - EasyPost) +3mins 53secs
5. Oscar Onley (GB/Netcompany Ineos) +4mins 29secs
6. Jakob Omrzel (Slo/Bahrain Victorious) +4mins 59secs
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