Marc Soler wins in the Covadonga lakes, and Ben O’Connor keeps the red jersey by five seconds

Euskaraz irakurri: Marc Solerrek irabazi du Covadongako aintziretan, eta O’Connorek maillot gorriari eutsi dio, bost Segundogatik

The Catalan cyclist from UAE Emirates Marc Soler ha cattle the Sixteenth stage of the 2024 Vuelta a España, in the lakes of Covadongathis Tuesday, on a day in which the Australian runner Decathlon AG2R Ben O’Connor has achieved keep the red jersey of the general classification leader of the race, although it has the Slovenian of Red Bull-BORA Primoz Roglic just five seconds behind.

A great day of cycling was expected at the Vuelta a España, and what the cyclists offered has met those expectations. The final climb, that of the Covadonga lakes, was spectacular, full of excitement. Up ahead, Marc Soler overcame, with great effort, Filippo Zana (Jayco) and Max Pool (DSM)who seemed stronger at the start of the climb; in the group of favourites, the constant attacks of Mikel Landa (Soudal) and Enric Mas (Movistar)to which Roglic has responded firmly, have dropped the leader back, and it seemed that the red jersey was going to go to the Slovenian Red Bull rider, but O’Connor has had a spectacular final stage, and, even by a narrow margin, remains in first place in the general classification for another day.

Thus, the stage of the Covadonga lakes has been marked by a breakaway, of about fifteen men, who have obtained an advantage of almost ten minutes with respect to the peloton, and in which they have entered Oier Lazkano (Movistar) and Jon izagirre (Cofidis). Wout van Aert (Visma)winner of three stages in this Vuelta a España and leader of the mountains classification and the points classification, was also part of that group of escapees; the Belgian cyclist, with less than 50 kilometres to go, on the descent of Collada Llomena, fell on a bend and was forced to retire. He had previously suffered another, lighter fall.

With the riders already severely punished before the climb to the Covadonga lakes, where rain was another of the protagonists, the decisive part of the day has brought an outcome full of uncertainty. It seemed that, ahead of him, Max Pool could take the victory, and, among the general classification, that the red jersey would go to Primoz Roglic; But neither of these things happened, as Soler used his energy to take the stage win, and O’Connor, in a great solo fight, held on to the lead with great merit.

Jon Izagirre, at the finish line, obtained a remarkable fifth place, which is the same as that, in the general classification, still held by Mikel Landa, now 2:18 behind the red jersey.

This Wednesday, the 79th Vuelta a España puts into play its seventeenth stagethat It will start in Arnuero and, after travelling 141.5 kilometres, will end in Santander. This is the day before the stage that will cover the territory of Álava on Thursday.

Stage classification

1 – SOLER Marc (UAE) 4:44:46

2 – ZANA Filippo (Jayco) + 0:18

3 – POOLE Max (DSM) + 0:23

4 – VINE Jay (UAE) + 0:57

5 – IZAGIRRE Jon (Cofidis) + 1:02

6 – DEL TORO Isaac (UAE) + 1:29

7 – FRIGO Marco (Israel) + 1:35

8 – RICCITELLO Matthew (Israel) + 1:47

9 – MAS Enric (Movistar) +3:54

10 – CARAPAZ Richard (EF) mt

Overall classification

1 – O’CONNOR Ben (Decathlon) 65:09:00

2 – ROGLIC Primoz (Red Bull) + 0:05

3 – MAS Enric (Movistar) + 1:25

4 – CARAPAZ Richard (EF) + 1:46

5 – LANDA Mikel (Soudal) + 2:18

6 – GAUDU David (Groupama) + 3:48

7 – RODRIGUEZ Carlos (INEOS) + 3:53

8 – SKJELMOSE Mattias (Lidl) + 4:00

9 – LIPOWITZ Florian (Red Bull) + 4:27

10 – SIVAKOV Pavel (UAE) + 5:19