Marc Soler wins wind-shortened Murcia opener

After strong winds cut 90 km from the opening stage of the Vuelta a Murcia, UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Marc Soler took a solo victory from nearly 5 km out, with teammate Julius Johansen following for second. Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was third in his first race of the 2026 season. Stage 2 of the two-day race is 179 km, with several climbs, but the final 20 km are flat. Assuming wind doesn't alter the course again, UAE's hold on the race seems secure; Pidcock is the nearest rider from another team, 40 seconds down to Soler.