Barely retired from the international road peloton, the Balearic rider Lluis Mas (Las Salinas, 34 years old), will try out the experience of what it is like to ride through the desert in the next Titan Desert in Saudi Arabia that will be held between the next 14th and 17th. where the Movistar rider has gone for the last 5 seasons to "go hard every day", aware that "maybe" he will be "busted".
But, who competed in his last road test during the Super 8 Clasic on September 16, he will try a new experience, following in the footsteps of other professionals such as Luis León Sánchez, another historic player who recently retired and is now trying races in the desert, which which is a surprise for the Balearic Islands.
“In recent years, with the emergence of cyclocross and gravel, the teams give more and more freedom, but before it was very difficult for them to let you get off the road bike,” says Mas.
Mountain biking is no stranger to Lluis Mas, since it is a fundamental element in the winter season.
"For quite a few years now, every winter day I can, I try to go mountain biking, especially because it's a way for me to mentally disconnect. I'm training and I'm on the bike, but I'm not on the road. It's a time of the year when I continue training, but a little more how I want to train," he says.
Mas knows the Saudi race, as well as the Moroccan Titan, and he feels attracted to both, so he decided to ask for permission to participate.
"It is a race that I have known for a long time, especially the one you organize in Morocco. In recent years I would have liked to participate, but it was more complicated due to the limitations of the team. I had known about the Titan Desert for many years and one day I met Manu Tajada (sports director of the race), who was preparing the Arabian race last year. I was curious and here we are," he comments.
The Saudi race "looks very good," says Mas, who has been informed through the race website and Instagram.
"It doesn't have big climbs, but that also motivates me because I'm coming back from the break and it's a way to start off more smoothly. Even so, those small hills that there are can make for a very nice race."
In Arabia he will meet old acquaintances such as Luis León Sánchez and Haimar Zubeldia.
"I have to give something back to 'Luisle'," he comments ironically. "We were teammates at Caja Rural and he was putting my eyes out even when training. The thing about 'Luisle' is amazing. Plus he doesn't rest even when he's on vacation. It's amazing to us." We're going to have a good time and I'm sure there will be a bit of heat."
Above all, Mas will go to the desert to have fun and spend a few days with his fellow adventurers.
"It's true that when I go to a race I go out to go hard. Maybe they'll blow me up later, but I'm going to go hard every day. If one day I can go there hidden, then maybe I'll try to steal something from them in the sprint," concludes.
