“I’m tired but happy with this second place" - Marc Soler

Marc Soler won the fifth stage into Bilbao in impressive fashion, and had the freedom to join the break and try to repeat that feat today. He came second on the day after a strong performance, one that the Spaniard has taken.

“I’m tired but happy with this second place," he said at the end of the day. "...Every day I give my best and try to help the team and, on days like today get ahead animate the race". Soler and teammate Brandon McNulty were given permission to join the day's breakaway, with the former making it into the ten-man move.

It became clear the escapees had the opportunity to take the stage win, and Soler was a candidate despite the very high quality present in front. Early in the climb he was dropped, "in the end I decided to go at my own pace and do the best I could without thinking too much about anything else," he detailed.

That effort saw him catch up with several of his group companions, and set off alone in pursuit of Jay Vine. The Australian thrived once again to take a second stage win, and Soler rode to finish second on the day - just barely managing to hold off Rein Taaramë. He's now second in the KOM classification aswell, which may become a future goal in his race.