'Far off the level we hoped for' - Movistar boss Eusebio Unzué pulls no punches over Enric Mas' Giro d'Italia team leader struggles but hopeful for final week breaks

Movistar team manager Eusebio Unzué has delivered a candid assessment of Enric Mas’ underwhelming performance as the team’s leader in this year’s Giro d’Italia. Despite high hopes for the 31-year-old Spaniard, who was targeting a top-three finish in his Giro debut, Mas currently sits 23rd overall, trailing race leader Jonas Vingegaard by nearly 30 minutes. Unzué acknowledged that while training data had suggested Mas could be competitive, his actual race form has been disappointing, describing his performance as a clear failure in the general classification battle. Unzué emphasised the context behind Mas’ struggles, pointing to the rider’s prolonged recovery from a complex thrombophlebitis operation last summer. Having returned to competition only recently after abandoning the Tour de France, Mas’ fitness and race sharpness remain uncertain. The team had hoped for a stronger showing, but the reality is that Mas’ chances of contesting the overall victory are now over. Nevertheless, Unzué remains hopeful that Mas can still make an impact in the final week through breakaway efforts on the mountainous stages. The Movistar squad has shown strong collective form throughout the race, with notable early performances and stage ambitions. However, the team’s strategy to fully support Mas by sacrificing other riders’ GC hopes, such as Einer Rubio’s, has not yielded the desired results. Unzué praised the team’s efforts but admitted that the leader’s lack of form has been a significant setback. The powerful Visma-Lease a Bike team, led by Vingegaard, has dominated the race, further complicating Movistar’s chances. Looking ahead, Unzué also provided an update on Movistar’s promising young signing, Cian Uijtdebroeks, who is set to return to racing in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in early June after a serious crash. While the Belgian rider is not expected to contend for the Tour de France podium this year, the team views the Grand Tour as an important learning experience for his development as a future leader. Unzué expressed optimism about Uijtdebroeks’ potential and long-term prospects within the team’s ambitions. Overall, Movistar faces a challenging final week at the Giro, with stage wins now the primary realistic goal rather than a GC podium. Mas’ recovery and form remain key concerns, but the team’s depth and resilience could still produce notable moments. The situation underscores the unpredictable nature of Grand Tours and the fine margins between success and disappointment in elite cycling.