Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates secured a thrilling victory in Stage 16 of the Vuelta a España, triumphing on the ascent to Lagos de Covadonga after a decisive late breakaway. Soler, part of a 17-rider break, distanced himself from competitors Filippo Zana and Max Poole in the final kilometers, finishing 18 and 23 seconds ahead, respectively. The stage was marred by the crash of Belgian rider Wout van Aert, who withdrew after sustaining injuries during a descent. Despite being challenged by GC contenders, Ben O’Connor managed to retain the red leader's jersey, finishing just five seconds ahead of Primož Roglič. The stage highlighted both Soler's aggressive strategy and the ongoing battle for the overall lead among the favorites.