Victory Sweet: Soler and O’Connor React to Thrilling Stage 16 Wins at Vuelta a Espana 2024
Vuelta a España Stage 16: Marc Soler Takes the Win
Stage Winner: Marc Soler (Spain, UAE Team Emirates)
“I’m very happy with this win. All the hard work in the Vuelta has finally paid off. I was on the edge of my seat in the last mountain but I could see the other guys getting tired so I just stuck to my rhythm. When Max Pool slowed down I pushed hard and it seemed to work. I want to dedicate this win to my wife and my kids.”
“I was in good shape and just kept to my own pace. I was going full gas in the early stages and was trying to break away. I made two attempts on Max Pool (in the final mountain) and the second time I was able to take the lead alone.”
“We’re not in the overall standings, but we’re aiming for stage wins and we’re in first place in the overall team standings. We’re doing very well as a team.”
Did you witness Van Aert’s fall?
“I didn’t see it because I was at the back of the pack, but the descent was very technical and a bit wet, and I just saw three guys crash in the corners.”
Stage 2: Filippo Zana (Italy, Jaiko Al-Ula)
“It was very tough. I crashed right at the start and had some pain in my knee, but it didn’t affect me afterwards. Soler, Poole and I were fighting at full gas in the final mountain. I’m happy with second place and I’ll be aiming for the win in the next stage tomorrow.”
Stage 3: Max Pool (Great Britain, DSM Firmenich Post NL)
<img src="https://www.cyclowired.jp/sites/default/files/images/2024/09/04/corvos00037073-045.jpeg” alt=”Max Poole chases Sorel (UK, DSM Firmenich Post NL) Photo: CorVos” />
“The fight to break away was tough, but with the support of my teammates I was able to get in. I felt strong in my legs and did what I felt was best, but I couldn’t keep up with Soler’s attack. I’m happy to be in contention for the win in my third week. I’ll try to take advantage of the few chances to break away and win in the coming stages.”
4th place in the stage and winner of the Montagne Maillot (mountain championship): Jay Vine (Australia, UAE Team Emirates)
<img src="https://www.cyclowired.jp/sites/default/files/images/2024/09/04/corvos00037073-018.jpeg” alt=”Jay Vine (Australia, UAE Team Emirates) competed in the race wearing the maillot montana (mountain medal) Photo: CorVos” />
“I wasn’t feeling too good this morning and I told my teammates that. That feeling became clear when I sprinted with Wout (van Aert) on the first categorized climb and I decided to help the other two (Soler and del Toro). Marc (Soler) ended up winning.”
“It’s a special feeling because I was in the same race two years ago when he won Stage 5 in Bilbao, so I’m glad I was able to ride alongside him on many occasions and help him win.”
Enric Mas (Spain, Movistar) took second place overall after beating O’Connor with an aggressive ride.
<img src="https://www.cyclowired.jp/sites/default/files/images/2024/09/04/corvos00037073-049.jpeg” alt=”Enric Mas (Spain, Movistar) attacks multiple times and shakes off the rest of the pack. Photo: CorVos” />
“I was feeling good and on the penultimate climb I tried to push for luck and attacked, but it didn’t work out. I attacked and saw the guys coming up behind me, so I thought I wasn’t going fast enough and slowed down, so I just followed them.”
“I enjoyed the stage in Lagos and hope the weather improves. On the descent (to the finish) I couldn’t see ahead and it was the same for Primoz (Roglič).”
Ben O’Connor (Australia, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) narrowly defended the jersey by 5 seconds.
“Today wasn’t such a bad day, but it’s good to keep the jersey for the next two days (not mountain stages). We have to enjoy it as much as we can, because we don’t know if we’ll be wearing it in Madrid. It’s great to see the Australians doing so well all the time.”
Maillot Puntos (Points Award): Kaden Groves (Australia, Alpecin-Deceuninck)
“I never thought I’d be wearing the yellow jersey again because Wout had such a big lead. I also thought he was leading the mountains classification and would be trying to grab some points today. I don’t know what happened to him, but I was told he had withdrawn. It was an unpleasant way to wear the jersey.”
“Tomorrow’s stage will be difficult, but it will be a challenging day for our team as the layout is also suitable for breakaways.”