Soler's Vuelta absence explained as details of training crash emerge

Marc Soler’s absence from UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Vuelta a España team has been revealed, with Marca reporting that the Spanish rider suffered a serious training crash during his preparations.

Soler had been due to race the Vuelta a Burgos as his final preparation for the Vuelta, but instead crashed in training the day before he was due to travel to Burgos.

He sustained three fractured ribs, a severe blow to the head of the radius and damage to his elbow, bringing his summer racing plans to an abrupt end. He was treated at the Quirón Clinic in Barcelona and has since been focused on recovering from his injuries.

Soler had been preparing for his eighth Vuelta and would have provided valuable support to Tadej Pogačar as the world champion bids to complete the Grand Tour set. Soler is a four-time Vuelta stage winner, having claimed his most recent on stage 14 in 2025.

In Soler's absence, João Almeida, Ivo Oliveira, Domen Novak, Pavel Sivakov, Pablo Torres, Kevin Vermaerke and Jay Vine will line up for the Emirati team alongside Pogačar.

There are, however, encouraging signs in Soler’s recovery. Marca reports that he had his stitches removed on Wednesday, with his elbow healing well, while he has already started training on the indoor trainer.

The 32-year-old had already suffered a pelvic fracture after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia in May, when he crashed on stage 2, and was forced to abandon the race. 

Soler hasn't pinned on a number since the Giro crash, as he was ruled out of UAE’s Tour de France plans, leaving the Vuelta as a major target for the second half of the season.