How could cross-eyed Soler still beat fresh-looking Poole? "It paid off"

Marc Soler had been in the breakaways so often during this Vuelta a España, attacking frequently and getting dropped almost as often. He came back, attacked again, got dropped once more, and had to make do with three third places up to now. On Tuesday, in the sixteenth stage, he finally succeeded.

Soler was once again in the breakaway, and although he seemed to crack a few times, he managed to come back each time. Even when Max Poole from Team dsm-firmenich PostNL took the initiative on the final climb to Lagos de Covadonga and appeared to be the strongest, Soler was barely hanging on. However, somehow he managed to launch a decisive attack. It turned out to be the winning move, as Poole, despite not showing any signs of fatigue, suddenly ran out of steam, and Filippo Zana was unable to follow him.

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Soler explains how he managed to drop Poole

"I'm very happy with this victory," Soler beams in the post-race flash interview. The Spaniard from UAE-Team Emirates has always been an unusual rider, but he has always had a fighting spirit. He won Vuelta stages in 2020 and 2022 as well. "It feels like all the efforts of this Vuelta are finally being rewarded. I was at my limit on the final climb, the whole climb. But I saw that the others were also weakening, so I kept my rhythm."

The contrast between Poole and Soler was striking, yet it was indeed the rider with the empty eyes who managed to drop the rider with the closed mouth. "Max was the man to beat, and I saw a chance to attack during a descent, and it paid off." Soler was thus able to celebrate, with his thumb in his mouth. "I dedicate this victory to my wife and children," he concluded.

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Poole and Zana unable to match Soler's attack

Poole had to settle for an honorable third place, specifically behind Zana. For the 21-year-old Brit, it was his third podium finish, having already secured second and third places from breakaways on days eleven and twelve. However, Tuesday’s third place felt less disappointing compared to his previous near-misses. "We knew it would come down to the final climb. I felt strong and did what I thought was best at the time. In the end, I cracked a bit when Soler attacked. Nonetheless, it's good to be in the mix again, even in the third week. Hopefully, we'll get another chance with the breakaway," said the climber via Team dsm-firmenich PostNL's channels.

Zana, too, had no reason to be disappointed with his performance. The 25-year-old Italian from Jayco-AlUla had already finished sixth on day eleven and now showed that his legs seem to be improving. "It was so tough," he sighed on his team’s website. "I crashed at the start of the stage and had some trouble with my knee. However, I'm okay and eventually made it into the breakaway. On the final climb, it was full gas, and second place is very good for me."