'I was like - what's going on, is this a spectator?' - Tadej Pogačar surprised by Enric Mas on Vuelta a España gravel climb

Enric Mas riding toward Pogacar on the gravel as spectators cheer.

From timing errors to poor pacing strategy to a super-strong rival, Tadej Pogačar has explained the combination of circumstances that led to the utterly unexpected scenario of him being chased down by Enric Mas (Movistar) on the Puerto de El Bartolo in the Vuelta a España.

When Pogačar launched his attack some four kilometres from the summit of the Bartolo on stage 6 just as the gravel sections were beginning, nobody in the main group of GC favourites expected to see him again.