Mas himself sounds the same note: «In the end, you know what's at stake, so I'll have to bring out my best.» The time trial has historically been where his GC bids leak time, and Roglič — four-time Vuelta winner — is exactly the rider built to punish that gap. But a directeur sportif doesn't call it the best version ever out of politeness three days from the finish. Two mountain stages, including Saturday's climb to Collado del Alguacil, still sit between Jerez and Madrid regardless of what Thursday does to the margin.