Carlos Rodríguez entered this Tour de France with high ambitions and hopes after a modest 2024 season, but hasn’t been able to improve on it. He entered stage 15 in 10th spot on the overall classification and managed to gain almost 5 minutes on many of his rivals, but the INEOS Grenadiers rider was left disappointed after not being able to get the stage win he had hoped for.
After crossing the finish line in 19th position, 1:36 behind the winner Tim Wellens in a large group, he spoke to the media: “The truth is that today the goal was the stage victory, not necessarily with me, I had to empty myself on that second climb, I was a little tight, 4 days of great effort going one hundred percent, but happy to keep fighting, it is difficult to be ahead, a shame not to get the victory, but you can’t always get what you want”.
On stage 12 the British team deployed an unusual strategy, getting five riders in a breakaway of over 50 with Rodríguez included. In an ideal scenario it could’ve been a very successful day, but UAE’s strong pace and the lack of legs to make the difference didn’t see Rodríguez being able to make an impact. Today, away from the mountains but in the hilly terrain of southern France, that changed.
Rodríguez was able to profit from the late breakaway formation, that took place in the climbs, to join the front group after a strong attack from the peloton. “It was not the main thing, I knew that behind they were going to be calmer, the less they were in front the better”. He put in a big effort on the day but there were stronger riders in the front group, with Tim Wellens riding to a victory and equally strong climbers matching the Spaniard in the terrain that favoured him the most.
Ultimately, Rodríguez won 4:31 minutes on the peloton and moved up a position, overtaking Ben Healy but getting himself closer to the fight for the Top5 which is still possible if he is able to reach his very best level on the final week of the race. We are now feeling better, which is the main thing,” he concluded.