A day after apologizing to Spanish fans for failing to win in Angliru, Enric Mas (Movistar) promised to get back into the GC contention for the Vuelta a España. But the 2018 runner-up insists that only after Tuesday's time trial will he know for sure what he can achieve.

Alejandro Valverde is currently in eighth place, his eighth top-10 finish in as many Grand Tours, and Marc Soler had a gutsy long-distance attack on stage 13, but then completely collapsed in Angliru.

He is now in fifth place, 1:50 behind race leader Richard Calapaz (Ineos Grenadiers), and is likely the furthest GC rider still in with a chance of winning the Vuelta this year.

However, in Mas' view, Calapaz and Primoz Lorgic (Jumbo Visma) are the only other contenders for a podium finish in Madrid. Beyond that, no one knows.

"Tuesday's time trial is a course more suited to power riders, and I think I can make up some time," Mas insisted over coffee at a rest day press conference in Galicia on Monday. But I would be lying if I said I would be on the podium right now. Right now, I'm just trying to do what I can do."

Planche de Belle Fille's time of 9th place at this year's Tour de France, well ahead of her main rivals in the Vuelta, Carapas, Dan Martin (Israel Startup Nation), and Hugh Kersee (EF Education First) Asked repeatedly if the trial results could be used as a reference, Mas was firmly grounded.

"I really wish they could be helpful, but I was aiming for a top-five GC finish, and the other three guys you mentioned (Kalapas, Martin, and Kersee) were running to win the Tour at that point. They weren't flat out." I don't think these times have anything to do with tomorrow's race, but I'd love to sign up right now."

Mass disagreed, even though it was the third week of the time trial and the differences between the racers were usually not great.

"I think it's a tough course and the first flat part is the most important, it's 30 kilometers, 2 seconds per kilometer, a minute advantage."

"It is true that there are 'uphills' where the uphill specialists can do some damage, but I don't think they are as important as the flats. But I don't think it's as important as the flat.

Thus, as for what can realistically be hoped for on Tuesday, Mas contradicts himself a bit with his previous answer: "At least we will be in the top three. But there are many questions. Roglic will almost certainly have a great TT. His numbers (output data) were great there (Tour's Planche des Belles Fils). But I have no idea how Richard, Dan Martin, and Carty will perform."

Regarding his apology after finishing third in Sunday's Alto de Langueil stage, Mas explained: "I apologized because my staff and teammates did a perfect job and I didn't finish it."

He added: "I'm sorry that I didn't finish it.

After Tuesday's time trial, there would be only four days of GC racing, climaxing on Saturday with the climb to the Covatilla ski resort.

However, the Mallorcan rider and Alejandro Valverde, who attended the same press conference, were not convinced that the three stages from Ezaro on Tuesday to Covatilla on Saturday were hard enough to make an impact.

Both called them "decaffeinated," meaning they lacked punch, despite each having at least 2,500 meters and more than 4,000 meters of vertical climbing in Thursday's 230 km of intense hills in southern Galicia.

Valverde said, "The third week is not as hard as I am used to. But being November, the weather plays a big part, especially in this part of the world." Hopefully, Enric will get up there and we will have a chance."