MADRID – Marc Soler of UAE-Team Emirates won the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday, while Ben O’Connor of Decathlon AG2R- La Mondiale once again defended his overall lead against the attacks of Primoz Roglic of Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe and Enric Mas of Movistar at the end of the gruelling climb to the Lagos de Covadonga.

O’Connor looked as if he was destined to finally surrender his lead as he slipped behind Mas, Roglic and Mikel Landa of T Rex-Quick Step around five kilometers from the finish of another tough mountain stage.

However, once again, the Australian rider showed his grit and courage to dig deep and claw back enough time in the closing stages to cling on to the leader’s red jersey by just five seconds.

• Tags: Marc Soler, Vuelta