Carlos Rodríguez has been non-committal about his future at Ineos Grenadiers ahead of 2023, when his current four-year deal with the British World Tour team will end. The Spanish 21-year-old, who proved himself a Grand Tour general classification contender this year, said he would assess things as next year progressed.
Rodríguez, who has already been linked to Movistar, added he needed to take a step forward in his career next season, after 7th at La Vuelta this year. He was hopeful his plans for himself would align with the team's plans for him during the season ahead, his fourth with Ineos Grenadiers.
However, he added he was very with the team and wanted to see if he would be trusted in major races now that Grand Tour general classification riders like Richard Carapaz and Adam Yates had moved on from the squad.
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In 2019 Ineos Grenadiers announced it had signed Spanish rider Rodríguez, then aged just 18 years, and claimed he would remain in college. And with that deal set to expire at the end of next year, now 21-year-old Rodríguez was not showing his hand when asked about his team plans for next year.
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"I am very comfortable in the team and as the season progresses we will see," he said of his future beyond the end of next season, adding the departure of some of the big general classification riders from the team may play into his hands, if the team has confidence in him.
"Hopefully they keep their faith in me for the big races," he said. "Hopefully my goals and those of the team can go hand in hand. With the departure of Richard Carapaz and Adam Yates, I could gain places in the hierarchy. We have fewer leaders, but I have to perform.
"The dream is of course to do the Tour de France one day. But I want to do it as a stage. step by step, without putting pressure on myself. I didn't expect to have a good season in 2022. In fact, I've been good all year and in 2023, I want to take another step forward. It's also necessary to be able to participate in major races."
He said at the time he signed for Ineos Grenadiers, straight out of the junior ranks, his main priority was to secure a place at a World Tour team. However, he also knew the team would be patient with him, adding if he had gone to an U23 team instead much more would have expected of him in terms of securing results.
