“It hasn’t been too bad” - INEOS veteran looks back on his 2026 season as he's set for major personal moment ahead of new year
Cycling
Óscar Rodríguez brought his season to a close at the Criterium de Saitama, a very special experience for the Netcompany INEOS rider, who visited Japan for the first time. The Navarrese cyclist reflected on his time in the country and looked back on a 2026 season that was challenging on the sporting front, particularly because an injury disrupted the start of his campaign.
Speaking to AS newspaper after the Japanese event, Rodríguez said he was delighted with everything he had experienced during his stay. “It was a really lovely experience. I’d never been to Japan before, and it was really cool and very special. The people are so polite, and the food was great too, so it was brilliant — a 10 out of 10,” he said.
For the Spaniard, however, taking part in Saitama feels more like a starting point than a farewell to cycling until next year. After enjoying his holiday, he is already set to return home and begin preparing for the 2027 season.
“I’ve just finished my holiday, and I’m flying home on Tuesday to start pre-season, so I think this is more of a beginning than an end,” said the Netcompany INEOS rider, who is looking forward to the months of training ahead.
Rodríguez also reflected on a season that got off to a difficult start. His initial injury disrupted his preparation and forced him to build back his racing rhythm gradually.
Spanish INEOS rider Óscar Rodríguez
A challenging 2026 season marked by injury
Despite that setback, he believes he managed to turn things around and finish the year on a fairly positive note.
“It was a bit of a difficult year because of the injury, but we managed to deal with it pretty well,” he said. The Navarrese rider also admitted that he had hoped for better results on the road. “I raced a few events, and things could have gone better from a sporting perspective, but it wasn’t all bad.”
He will now begin another pre-season, aiming to put his physical problems behind him and prepare for 2027. He hopes to enjoy greater continuity and show his best form.
Óscar Rodríguez is expecting to become a father in December
Beyond his sporting goals, the Navarrese cyclist is looking ahead to one of the most special moments in his personal life.
In an interview after the Criterium de Saitama, Rodríguez revealed that he is expecting to become a father next December.
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He shared the news with great excitement, making the end of 2026 an especially important time for him.
“We’re hoping to become parents in December, and I’m just so happy and excited about this new gift arriving in time for Christmas,” he said.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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