Failed contract negotiations revealed to be the reason behind TotalEnergies' removal of Cristián Rodríguez from Tour lineup

Cristián Rodríguez was set to be a part of the Tour de France lineup for the Tour de France after a breakthrough season where he was one of the team's best performers, however a last-minute call saw him out of the race.

Initially it was assumed that a positive Covid-19 test was the reason behind the change that saw Edvald Boasson Hagen inserted into the lineup, however Eurosport ES reported that in fact it was the failed contract negotiations.

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Rodríguez is currently out of contract for 2023. After having finished second at the Vuelta a Andalucia, Eurosport reports that contract talks began but have since not evolved. The Spaniard was said to be training in Sierra Nevada when his agent informed him that the team required the renovation to be signed before the Tour - or otherwise he would not be a part of the team.

A team representative told the agent that "there is nothing to talk about" when there was a proposal to negotiate in a calmer period, and things turned south for the Spaniard who was announced on Tuesday - after being confirmed to be in the race - that he would be replaced.

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Alongside Peter Sagan, Rodríguez would be headlining the team, in a possibility of fighting for stage wins in the mountains or fight for the KOM classification - which he won at the Itzulia Basque Country. He was replaced by the Norwegian rider who will provide further support for Sagan in the sprints.