La Vuelta 2022: Marc Soler powers to Stage 5 win to end Spanish drought, Rudy Molard takes red from Primoz Roglic

Spain’s Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) showcased his never-say-die spirit with a yo-yoing ride to secure the host nation’s first stage win on any Grand Tour for almost two years. Not only did Soler have to bridge over to a large breakaway on the first of five categorised climbs, but the 28-year-old livewire had to battle back after being dropped on the second ascent of the Puerto del Vivero before soloing to the second Vuelta stage win of his career.

A strong chase group of 10 riders came within touching distance of sweeping up Soler in the streets of Bilbao, but the lone leader dug deep and made the most of a lack of collaboration behind to take a famous win in the Basque Country. Ad South Africa’s Daryl Impey (Israel-Premier Tech) took second place four second behind while Britain’s Fred Wright’s four bonus seconds for third place were not enough for the Bahrain Victorious rider to deny Frenchman Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) the second red jersey of his career.

Vuelta a EspañaLa Vuelta: How to watch lumpy Stage 5 as Roglic defends red9 HOURS AGO Molard took fourth place on the lumpy 187.2km stage from Irun but now leads the race ahead of Wright thanks to the two bonus seconds he picked up for cresting the final climb of the day in second place behind Soler. Overnight leader Primoz Roglic, the triple champion from Slovenia, finished safely in the peloton just over five minutes down as Jumbo-Visma released their grip on the red jersey for the first time in the race since their victory in the opening team time trial in Utrecht.

Roglic drops to fifth place, 4’09” behind Molard, ahead of Thursday’s first summit finish. Molard leads the Vuelta by two seconds on Wright, with Germany’s Nikias Arndt (Team DSM) up to third place