Cycling: Marc Soler (Movistar) won the Paris-Nice long-distance race. For many viewers, his performance explosion was surprising. Velomotion had a lot of confidence in the 24-year-old Spaniard at the beginning of the season and put him in the 5towatch recorded. Now he has shown his talent to the whole world. We look back at his masterpiece in France.
Marc Soler enjoys the trust
At the age of 24, very few celebrate their own successes. Often they have just received a contract and at best are allowed to work as water carriers. They often move up into the squad for important races because one of the regular staff has fallen ill. Especially with a team as strong as Movistar, it's difficult to rely on your own results. But Marc Soler is lucky. He's 24 and has a team leadership that thinks highly of him. Despite riding in a team with Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and Mikel Landa, Marc Soler is allowed to drive on his own account from time to time. He has already repaid the trust placed in him several times this season. While it hasn't really worked out at the Tour Down Under, he managed a podium finish with third place at the Ruta Del Sol. Now he has achieved the greatest success of his career at Paris-Nice.
The masterpiece succeeds on the final stage
Actually, we should have known. In recent years, the Paris-Nice long-distance trip has always guaranteed exciting races that were only decided in the final meters. That's how it should be this time too. But no one would have expected Marc Soler. The Spaniard was sixth before the final stage. Trailing leader Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) by 37 seconds, he seemed unlikely to have a realistic chance of even making it onto the podium. But precisely this hopelessness was his trump card. Marc Soler attacked early on the last section. No tactics. No waiting. Together with his compatriots David de la Cruz (Sky) and Omar Fraile (Astana), he kept the peloton on their toes. Soler was lucky that he was two drivers in front who did not have a dangerous classification driver in their ranks. So they worked well together at first and in the peloton Mitchelton-Scott kept a reasonable distance for Simon Yates.
Marc Soler is rewarded for his courage
But the distance should not remain in the frame. As the group of favorites dwindled to twelve men, Ion Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) attacked. The competition looked at each other and looked especially at Simon Yates. But the Brit was weak. After his stage win the day before, the yellow jersey didn't seem to give him wings at all. On the contrary. The jersey looked heavy, wet from the rain and like a burden on the Simon Yates' narrow shoulders. This was also recognized by the competitors, who also attacked just a few moments after Ion Izagirre. Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal), Dylan Teuns (BMC) and Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) drove to Ion up front. Now it seemed to be over for Marc Soler, because at the same moment he was no longer able to follow de la Cruz. But the tide turned – again. The Izagirre brothers fell and Marc Soler was able to catch up with his companion. Now he knew: I'm going for overall victory. And he drove.
Now Marc Soler has to move back into the second rank
In the end it should be enough. Marc Soler saved four seconds for overall victory at the finish. As great as his performance was that day, he didn't let it show. Almost calmly he accepted the yellow jersey, the flowers and the lion on the podium. He won Paris-Nice and thus celebrated the greatest success of his career. But Marc Soler will not stand out. The Spaniard is not the type for that at all. And that's a good thing, because Marc Soler is now starting his main job again: providing help! Despite his triumph at Paris-Nice, he only plays fourth fiddle in the Movistar team. Behind Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and Mikel Landa there is at most room for a part-time captain. Marc Soler is needed full-time as a helper - also in 2018 at the Grand Tours. But it is precisely this role that could help him mature into a real top driver. The eyes in Spain are not yet on him. But this could change soon...
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