Scary moments for Pogačar: he ends up off the road after Mas' warning

It's not often you see Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) struggling, but stage six of the Vuelta a España provided one of the most adrenaline-fueled moments of the race. The overall leader, already with two stage wins and an almost embarrassing lead in the standings, experienced a truly frightening moment on a tricky concrete descent, literally going off the road.

It all started out well for the Slovenian. When he launched his attack on the final climb, featuring a long gravel section, it looked like yet another Pogačar-style solo. But this time, things turned out differently: Enric Mas (Movistar) managed to close the gap in surprising fashion, demonstrating his remarkable physical condition for this Vuelta.

Not only did the Spanish rider catch up with Pogačar, he even overtook him at the top of the climb, taking the lead on the descent. A curious image went viral on social media: Mas waving his hand, urging the Slovenian to slow down on the narrow, bumpy road.

Pogačar, renowned as one of the best downhillers in the group, didn't wait to be asked twice: he took advantage of a hairpin bend that Mas was taking with particular caution to slip inside and regain control of the operation. He then broke away, but the joy was short-lived: after just a couple of bends, the Slovenian champion went off the road.

In a series of tight and challenging hairpin bends, the world champion veered off course on one corner, crashing straight into a grassy and bushy area on the side of the road. Fortunately, he managed to maintain his balance and come to a safe stop, before quickly getting back on the bike and returning to the asphalt.