The 16th stage of the Vuelta unfolded today, taking riders from the coastal town of Luanco to the iconic climb at Lagos de Covadonga. Luanco, known for its maritime charm, offered a scenic yet deceptive start to this 181km mountain race. The finish at Lagos de Covadonga, nestled in the stunning Picos de Europa, presented a legendary challenge, with two category 1 climbs and a grueling final ascent that tested the peloton to the limits. This stage has solidified its reputation as one of the most demanding in the race.
Soler: winner of stage 16
Marc Soler claimed victory in today’s grueling 16th stage, crossing the finish line in 04h 44′ 46″ and securing his first stage win in this year’s Vuelta. He was followed by Filippo Zana of Jayco Alula, just 18 seconds behind, and Michael Poole of Team DSM-Firmenich, who finished 23 seconds back. This win marks another significant milestone in Soler’s career.
Having debuted in 2017 with Movistar Team, Soler has steadily grown into a strong contender in mountain stages, accumulating an impressive 473 climber points by 2023. Since joining UAE Team Emirates in 2022, his prowess as a climber has only sharpened, and this year’s Vuelta is a testament to his ongoing development. His ability to handle demanding terrain makes him a cyclist to watch in the coming years.
The matamorphosis of classification
Today’s stage brought a series of dramatic turnarounds, starting with the overall classification. Ben O’Connor managed to hold onto the red jersey, but his lead has been drastically reduced to just 5 seconds over Primož Roglic, who continues to chip away at the Australian’s advantage. As the Vuelta enters its final stages, the battle for the overall lead is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling contests in recent years.
Another shock came when Wout Van Aert, who had been dominant throughout the race, unexpectedly dropped out1. His withdrawal has left the door open for Kaden Groves, who now takes over the best sprinter’s jersey. Van Aert’s exit is a major surprise, and with Groves stepping up, the sprint classification is suddenly wide open once again.
A quieter day expected for stage 17
Stage 17 will take the riders through mid-mountain terrain, but the flat final 40 kilometers will likely set the stage for a sprint finish. This provides a golden opportunity for Kaden Groves to prove that he is a worthy holder of the green jersey following Van Aert’s retirement. If Groves can dominate the sprint tomorrow, it will solidify his position as the top sprinter of this Vuelta and confirm that he fully deserves his place as the new leader in the sprint classification.
- Van Aert suffers knee injury in crash ↩︎
