Enric Mas declines red jersey on podium in tribute to Pogacar

Enric Mas produced one of the most memorable gestures of stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana. The Movistar rider inherited the race lead after Tadej Pogacar's crash and withdrawal, but chose not to put on the red jersey during the podium ceremony in Xeraco.

Mas accepted the jersey and held it in front of him, explaining that he did not feel he had gained the lead in the way he would have wanted. His decision was intended as a sign of respect for Pogacar, and his first words were devoted to wishing the injured Slovenian a quick recovery.

The Spaniard began the stage 3:50 behind the world champion. That deficit disappeared when Pogacar crashed around 32 kilometres from the finish and was unable to continue. Mas did not celebrate the change, even though he is enjoying his strongest form in several years after matching Pogacar on some of the hardest finishes of the opening week.

Mas will start today wearing red for the first time in his career. He leads Primoz Roglic by 1:00 and Felix Gall by 1:11 before the 187.4-kilometre mountain stage to Alto de Aitana. His podium gesture does not alter the standings, but it underlined the exceptional circumstances of the change in leadership and placed respect for an injured rival before sporting celebration.