Van Aert abandons Vuelta after crash as Soler wins stage

3 weeks ago

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Wout van Aert holds his manus to his head

Green jersey holder Wout van Aert had to wantonness nan Vuelta a Espana aft crashing connected shape 16 arsenic Spanish rider Marc Soler won a tricky mountainous stage.

UAE Team Emirates' Soler vanished 18 seconds up of Italian Filippo Zana to declare his shape win.

Meanwhile, wide classification leader Ben O'Connor managed to narrowly cling connected to his advantage complete Primoz Roglic but is now conscionable 5 seconds up successful nan standings.

British rider Max Poole vanished 3rd successful nan stage, narrowly down Zana successful nan duo closest to shape victor Soler.

Van Aert - who had won 3 stages connected this year's circuit - had to wantonness aft a clang pinch astir 48km remaining.

He sewage backmost connected his motorcycle aft crashing into nan hillside connected a descent, but soon pulled up again and clutched his knee arsenic he was tended to successful nan footwear of his team's car.

The Belgian, who won bronze successful nan Paris 2024 Olympic clip trial, was starring nan upland and points classifications.

Wednesday's 141.5km shape 17 is different thrust crossed mean mountains, from Arneuro to Santander.