"All eight of us could get a win this race" - No Pogacar no problem for UAE at La Vuelta 2025 with three stage victories on the spin

After Juan Ayuso’s impressive solo victory on the summit finish to Cerler, UAE Team Emirates - XR are riding a wave of momentum at La Vuelta 2025. The team extended their winning streak to three stages in a row — a run that’s turning heads and raising expectations.

Two of Ayuso’s teammates, Marc Soler and Jay Vine, spoke to the media about the team’s efforts, Ayuso’s recovery, and João Almeida’s aggressive moves in the GC group behind.

“We’re in a good vein of form,” said a smiling Marc Soler to the Spanish media post-stage. “We’ve taken three wins in a row now, and Juan has bounced back well after a tough day in Andorra.”

Soler also shed light on his role within the group of favourites on the final climb, where Almeida was active in testing their rivals. “João asked me to pull at the front to see if we could do some damage when the Visma team slowed the chase. João wanted a higher tempo in the group.”

The Catalan rider highlighted the difference in his responsibilities here compared to the Tour de France. “My job at the Tour is different from what I’m doing in the Vuelta, but hopefully, I might get a chance to go for a stage win myself. I’d love for all eight of us to get a win this race.”

Jay Vine, fresh from his own stage victory the previous day, echoed the satisfaction but also the fatigue after a demanding couple of days in the mountains. “Today was another good day for the team. We put in a lot of work on the roads, and I’m feeling the effects of two really tough days in my legs now — looking forward to some rest,” he said in his post-stage reflections.

Vine explained the crucial role of having two riders in the breakaway, which helped UAE control the race from the front. “It was super important to have two riders up the road. They controlled the first climb really hard. At times, it looked like they might let just one rider go, so I had to force a group to get up there.”

Once established, Vine described the challenge of maintaining the breakaway’s momentum. “When I was there, it was all about keeping the group going and going. Luckily, the green jersey points were at the start of the last climb, so Mads Pedersen was able to help us all the way.”

He emphasised how critical this support was for Ayuso’s final effort. “If it had just been one rider from our team up front, it would have been really difficult to gain the time needed for the last climb.”

With the team’s hat-trick of stage wins, spirits are high, but Vine is already focused on the long haul. “A hat-trick is incredible, and I’m really happy with that. Hopefully, tomorrow will be an easier day so we can recover and prepare for the next 10 or 12 stages.”

UAE Team Emirates - XRG are clearly firing on all cylinders — combining tactical intelligence, collective strength, and individual brilliance. With Ayuso and Almeida both showing promising form, and strong contributions from riders like Soler and Vine, the team looks poised to continue shaping the narrative at this year’s Vuelta.