source: Instagram/@solermarc93
Spain’s Marc Soler emerged victorious in Stage 16 of the Vuelta a Espana after a daring late breakaway, shaking up the race standings. Ben O’Connor’s grip on the red jersey is now hanging by a thread, with Primoz Roglic closing in, just five seconds behind.
The turning point came in the final five kilometers. Sensing an opportunity, Soler made a powerful surge and created an unbridgeable gap at the front. Italy’s Filippo Zana finished second, and Britain’s Max Poole came in third.
“This win means a lot to me,” Soler said. “I haven’t had many victories with this team, so winning here at La Vuelta after two years feels amazing.”
Soler revealed that he pushed hard multiple times during the climb to the Lagos de Covadonga. “Max Poole tried several times as well, but in the end, I managed to gain the advantage,” he added.
Slovenian contender Primoz Roglic saw his chance in the rain-soaked mountains from Luanco to Lagos de Covadonga. He finished 11th, nine places ahead of O’Connor, slicing nearly a minute off the Australian’s overall lead.
There was heartbreak for Belgian rider Wout van Aert, who had to withdraw after a crash during a steep descent. He suffered injuries to his legs and arms, forcing him out with more than 50 kilometers left in the stage. At the time, the 29-year-old was leading both the points and King of the Mountains rankings.
With just seconds separating the top riders, the race for the red jersey is set to get even more intense in the final stages.
