Marc Soler (UAE Emirates) joined the legend of the Lakes of Covadonga with a hard-fought solo victory in the sixteenth stage that left the coast, in Luanco, to reach the Asturian summit after 181.3 kilometres, where Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon) clung to the red leader’s jersey by just 5 seconds.
“After many shots at the post he was finally able to finish. I dedicate the victory to my wife and my children, the second one has just been born” said “Mr. Escape” Soler seconds after having achieved the victory of his life in a sacred place of Spanish cycling. The cyclist born 30 years ago in Vilanova i la Geltrú has won in even years, in 2020 in Lekunberri, in 2022 in Bilbao and now the third in Lagos.
A grand triumph, alone, in which he raised his arms in the thick fog and rain, exhausted and excited, putting on the “pacifier” in honor of his 3-month-old baby.
He clocked a time of 4h.44.46, averaging 38.2 km/h. He beat Italian Zana by 18 seconds and 21-year-old Briton Max Poole by 23 seconds in the breakaway of the day.
Behind them, the final race for the red jersey was an electric one. The favourites, Carapaz, Enric Mas and Primoz Roglic, crossed the finish line 3.54 seconds behind. At that point, the Slovenian had 1.03 minutes to go, but O’Connor, a true titan, arrived in time to stay ahead in the general classification by just 5 seconds.
Another key stage to be archived, the same leader who came to power in the sixth stage, but with hints of imminent change. The heroic O’Connor feels Roglic’s breath on his neck, and has Enric Mas at 1.25, Carapaz at 1.46 and Mikel Landa at 2.18. Carlos Rodríguez is seventh at 3.53.
Van Aert leads the breakaway, falls and retires
From sea level, in the seaside town of Luanco, to the heart of the Picos de Europa, after 4,085 metres of ascent, the finish line awaited with a golden page of the Vuelta open for the winner. “The Lakes Stage”, one of those days with its own label. This day arrived with impetus in the peloton after the Monday rest.
Many attempts were made until the breakaway of the day was formed with the permission of the peloton. The expedition, which quickly opened up a large gap, included 17 riders, including Van Aert, who suffered a fall at the beginning, and Jay Vine, tied for the mountain prize, Soler, Lazkano, Ion Izagirre, Del Toro… a quality group for the stage.
Van Aert and Vine had their own “clash” on the climb to Mirador del Fito (1a, 7.1 km at 7.9). The Belgian overtook the Australian near the top and took the points that allowed him to regain the points jersey. The peloton moved to 9.49, with no incidents.
Van Aert took advantage of the surge to go solo, but gave up trying to rejoin the group on the way to Collada de Llomena (1a, 7.6 km at 9.3), where the first moves took place. The Belgian was once again first, 7 minutes ahead of the group of favourites, where Enric Mas and Landa attacked without much determination.
The descent of La Llomena became even more dangerous than usual due to the presence of rain. Risk of falls. Van Aert, Zana and Del Toro crashed into the wet asphalt and the slope. With his knee destroyed, the Belgian retired from the Vuelta wearing the green jersey. It is a shame for the race to be without a rider who always provides a spectacle.
Soler’s display, O’Connor struggles to stay in red
After passing through Cangas de Onís, the breakaway appeared at the foot of the climb to Lagos de Covadonga (Special, 12.5 km at 6.9) with 12 riders. The UAE was the majority with Soler, Vine and Del Toro, facing an opportunity to win a premium stage. The peloton in the red jersey was 6 minutes behind, with no signs of an imminent revolution for the moment.
Two stages again. For the partial victory and for the general. Two battles. Marc Soler unleashed the party up front, insisting on his attacks until he left 4.5 from the finish, leaving Poole and Zana stranded. Rain, fog, epic conditions, but the possibility of achieving his third victory in the Vuelta gave wings to the Catalan.
“At the third start I didn’t look back, I went straight ahead,” Soler summed up at the finish line. That’s what he did. And his persistence and courage, trying every day, did him justice.
Behind them, 7km from the finish, Enric Mas attacked, then Landa, until O’Connor dropped back and the aforementioned riders, Roglic, Carapaz and Gaudu, were left ahead. A time trial began. The Australian was suffering, but resisted. The candidates for the three podium places went ahead.
Mas tried three times, in La Huesera on the 16 percent slope, in Mirador de la Reina, but there was no way to get away from his rivals. Only Landa gave in. The others arrived hand in hand to the finish line. Time trials and marches. Five seconds before the change of leader, O’Connor appeared. He remains the leader, but the Vuelta takes on a Slovenian color, that of Primoz Roglic. The excitement continues.
The seventeenth stage between Arnuero and Santander, 141.5 km long, will be held this Wednesday. A day conducive to sprinting provided the sprinters can successfully overcome two difficulties halfway along the route, the Alto de la Estranguada (2a, 5.5 km at 8.7) and the Alto del Caracol (2a, 7.2 km at 6.2).
