Marc Soler secured a surprise victory on stage five of the Vuelta a Espana, charging clear on the final climb and coming home unopposed after indecision from those behind him.

Soler looked like he could be cruelly denied victory in the final kilometre with a group of six chasing and appearing to be in striking distance, but there was little support as they looked to bridge the gap in the closing stages.

The 28-year-old's victory secured Spain's first stage win on any Grand Tour for almost two years, the last being Ion Izagirre in 2020 - bringing an end to a 121-stage barren run for the home nation.

The UAE Team Emirates rider finished four seconds ahead of a group of 10 riders behind him, which included Rudy Molard - who climbed to the top of the standings with a fourth-place finish to take the red jersey, with former leader Primoz Roglic finishing five minutes and nine seconds behind Soler.

Molard's lead puts him at the top for the first time since 2018, when he led on four occasions, and boasts five of the seven stage leads that French riders have had since 2018.

Daryl Impey came second ahead of Fred Wright, the latter still waiting for his first stage win of the competition this year but sitting just two seconds behind Molard in the standings.

Wright holds regret

Still seeking a first stage win this year, Wright was frustrated by the fact he was unable to catch Soler for the lead.

"I was feeling strong but I'm disappointed, I was just too marked. We should have caught him, plain and simple, but it just didn't happen," he told Eurosport.

"It's a shame that I'm close to that win again. I'm sure there will be better days."

STAGE RESULT

1. Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) 4:15:23

2. Daryl Impey (Israel-Premier Tech) +00:00:04

3. Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) +00:00:04

4. Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) +00:00:04

5. G Lawson Craddock (Team Bikeexchange-Jayco) +00:00:04

CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS

General Classification

1. Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) 16:07:02

2. Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) +0:02

3. Nikias Arndt (Team DSM) +1:09

Points Classification

1. Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) 127

2. Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) 118

3. Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) 47

King of the Mountains

1. Victor Langellotti (Burgos-BH) 13

2. Roger Adria Oliveras (Equipo Kern Pharma) 6

3. G Lawson Craddock (Team Bikeexchange-Jayco) 5