In a thrilling Stage 16 of the Vuelta a España, Spain's Marc Soler took the win with a remarkable late surge, creating an insurmountable lead in the final five kilometers. His impressive performance has intensified the competition as Ben O'Connor's overall lead has diminished to a mere five seconds, with Slovenia's Primoz Roglic lurking closely behind.

Soler expressed his joy at the victory, highlighting its significance after a two-year wait for a win with his team. He mentioned his multiple attempts to break away on the climb to the Lagos de Covadonga, noting that he ultimately succeeded in creating a gap during the stage. The podium was completed by Italy's Filippo Zana and Britain's Max Poole, who finished second and third, respectively.

Amid the mountainous and rainy conditions, Primoz Roglic capitalized on the situation by finishing 11th, gaining nine places over O'Connor and reclaiming nearly a minute from his overall time. The stage, however, was marred by the withdrawal of Belgian rider Wout van Aert, who was injured in a crash during the descent, preventing him from continuing despite holding leads in several classifications at the point of his exit.