Enric Mas has confirmed his plans to compete within the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España in 2024, with a main concentrate on the French Grand Tour. Accompanied by Nairo Quintana, who returns to Movistar subsequent season, Mas will lead the group of their ambitions on the Grand Excursions.
Nonetheless, Mas confirmed that he and the group mutually agreed that he not compete within the Giro d’Italia.
“Sure, I spoke about it with the group [about the Giro d’Italia], however they advised me that every part would go to the Tour de France,” Mas advised AS.
Mas additionally focused each the Tour de France and Vuelta a España in 2023, as he has within the earlier 4 seasons. Nonetheless, his ambitions have been lower brief this yr after a crash on stage 1 sidelined him from competing in the remainder of the Tour de France. He went on to complete sixth general on the Vuelta a España.
“We focus once more on making an attempt to reverse the state of affairs. We spent a number of days shuffling just a little about what we have been doing, and the boss got here and stated let’s transfer on. Within the Tour, I’ve an enormous thorn in my aspect, and we now have to get it out,” Mas stated.
Quintana is ready to make his comeback to racing subsequent season, rejoining his former group Movistar for 2024. His return comes after a hiatus of over 12 months following his optimistic check for tramadol and subsequent disqualification from the 2022 Tour de France.
In-competition use of tramadol was barred by the UCI in 2019, however it can solely be added to the WADA banned listing from January 1, 2024. However though Quintana was allowed to proceed racing after his optimistic exams, he was unable to discover a group for 2023.
He beforehand spent eight seasons racing with Movistar from 2012 to 2019, the place he received the 2014 Giro d’Italia and the 2016 Vuelta a España.
“He turned nice right here, at Movistar. He had a four-year break when he was not at dwelling, however he was trusted once more, and I feel that, as a biking fan, we’re going to get pleasure from him,” Mas stated.
Movistar have but to stipulate Quintana’s Grand Tour plans in 2024, however Quintana has pointed to the Giro d’Italia as a potential goal.
Mas will as soon as once more lead the group on the Tour de France, the place he completed fifth in 2020 and sixth in 2021, and the Vuelta a España, the place he has completed second general on three events in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
Requested which route fits him higher, Mas stated, “Each. They’re very robust, and I spotlight that this yr, the Tour leaves Italy, a rustic that I actually like, and ends with a tricky time trial that may make essential variations. In La Vuelta, there are about 13 excessive finishes … That claims loads.”
Mas confirmed that he’ll start his season at Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta a Catalunya after which proceed to the Tour de Romandía, Spanish Nationals and the Tour de France. He’ll then look to the Olympic Video games, Vuelta a España, World Championships and end-of-season Italian Classics.
