Carlos Rodríguez: I want to improve on my fifth place at the Tour de France

Spanish talent already looking to big 2024 ambitions as new Ineos Grenadiers contract expected to be confirmed

10:30, Wednesday 4th October 2023

Daniel Benson

Editor in Chief

Share

Carlos Rodríguez is currently in action for Ineos Grenadiers in the Italian autumn Classics

Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) may have been coy on his exact team for next year but the highly rated Spanish rider is in no doubt that he sees his future as a Grand Tour rider.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider finished fifth at the Tour de France this year and won a stage in the Alps. His overall result may have been higher had he not crashed heavily during the race but indications are that he will stay at Ineos Grenadiers for the foreseeable future and become a central pillar in the team's Tour ambitions.

“Grand Tours are the races that I like the most. I’m not sure which one I will do next year but for sure it’s the main objective for next year, to improve the result of this year,” Rodriguez told GCN at the start of Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday.

“It’s been a good year. It didn't start the best way with my crash at Strade Bianche and I came back racing again at Dauphiné, and I went to the Tour de France. That was my main objective and I’m very happy with how things went, and hopefully, I can also end the season in a good way here in Italy."

Despite initially signing a letter of intent to race for Movistar Team in 2024, Rodriguez changed his mind after Ineos Grenadiers successfully attempted to keep their rising star. GCN that terms had been agreed between the rider and the British team but Rodriguez would not confirm the news just yet.

“Well, we will see, there is nothing confirmed yet, but soon we will know.”

Reporting by Gianluca Suardi