UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Marc Soler Secures Race Lead In Vuelta Asturias Stage 2

Published: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 19:00 [GST]

UAE Team Emirates-XRG achieved notable results on stage 2 of the Vuelta Asturias, with Marc Soler taking the race leader's jersey. Soler finished third, leaving the peloton behind. The stage was decided between Julius Johansen and Iván García Cortina, who were the last two from a breakaway group. Cortina won the sprint, but Johansen secured second place, marking his best result since joining UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

The team adjusted their strategy from the opening day by allowing Johansen to join the breakaway. He was joined by Cortina, Jan Sommer, Iker Gomez, and Jakob Schmidt. Their collaboration created a significant lead over the peloton. Despite attempts to shake each other off in the final kilometres, Johansen and Cortina reached the finish line together.

Soler Leads UAE Team Emirates-XRG in Vuelta Asturias

Soler's teammates António Morgado and Adrià Pericas also performed well, finishing sixth and seventh respectively. Pericas moved up to fourth overall as they approached Saturday's stage. Earlier in the race, Soler worked to challenge Steff Cras' lead. Unfortunately for Cras, he crashed out of the race, allowing Soler to take provisional control.

With Cras out of contention, UAE Team Emirates-XRG focused on distancing their rivals. Morgado, Soler, and Pericas managed to separate themselves from the peloton on Alto de la Colladiella's steep slopes. Soler then advanced alone over this category 1 climb and increased his lead during the descent.

Johansen continued his battle with Cortina at the front while Soler's strength became evident as he maintained his advantage. In Pola de Lena's final sprint, Johansen finished just behind Cortina with Soler crossing 41 seconds later.

Goals for Upcoming Stages

Soler now leads by 1:51 going into stage 3. UAE Team Emirates-XRG also holds both the points jersey through Soler and leads in team classification. The team's focus is now on maintaining their lead through to the end of the race.

Soler expressed his thoughts: "A break of six went from the beginning with Johansen in there for us. A few teams started chasing hard and on the descent of the first climb and it started raining hard which complicated the race. There were several splits in the bunch and on the Cat.1 climb I went away solo."

He added: "Julius was in front covering Cortina and I was behind. He managed a good second place and I was third and took the leaders jersey . Steff Crass crashed on one of the wet descents which was a pity as it’s not the way you want to inherit a race lead. I wish him a speedy recovery."