Mallorcan cyclist triumphs at La Vuelta 2018
Enric Mas, from Artà, second in Spain's most prestigious race
La Vuelta, Spain's most important cycling race, celebrated its last stage on Saturday in Madrid. British rider Simon Philip Yates won the competition, with Mallorcan cyclist Enric Mas Nicolau achieving the second position ahead of Colombian rider Miguel Angel López Moreno.
Born and bred in Artà, an inland town in north-east Mallorca, Enric Mas has trained on the island's famous mountain roads since he was a child. Mallorca is a mecca for road cyclists, and many professional teams fly here during the winter months to tackle the Serra de Tramuntana gruelling climbs under the island's sun, taking advantage of its mild off-season temperatures.
Mas is one of the youngest cyclists to make it onto the race's podium. The Mallorquín was also first at La Vuelta's 20th stage, a punishing mountain route in the Andorran Pyrenees. After crossing the finish line in Madrid he said "Reaching the podium in Madrid has always been a dream of mine so I simply need to savour the moment. I might be a different rider from now on but, deep down, I'm the same Enric I've always been."
Mas will celebrate with his fellow Artà locals this evening, at 19:00 in the town's main square. Congratulations, Enric!
