"It's much more fun not to have such a strong rider" - Joaquim Rodriguez excited by open nature of Vuelta a Espana in absence of Pogacar, Vingegaard & Evenepoel

Although the Red Jersey may have eluded Joaquim Rodriguez during his career, nine stage wins ensured 'Purito' wrote his name into Vuelta a Espana folklore and left an indelible mark on Spanish cycling in the process.

With the 2024 edition of the Vuelta a Espana taking on the first summit finish test on stage 4, Rodriguez is excited by the open nature of this Grand Tour, especially given the somewhat dominant wins for Tadej Pogacar at both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France earlier this year.

"It's clear that without Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard or Remco Evenepoel it's a bit more open," explains the 45-year-old Spaniard in conversation with Marca. Although the star power may be diminished by the aforementioned absentees, the racing will be more exciting Rodriguez believes. "In terms of the spectacle it's much more fun not to have such a strong rider."

In terms of favourites though, Rodriguez somewhat understandably opts for three time Red Jersey winner, Primoz Roglic. "I have no doubt that he can be the big favourite for this Vuelta a Espana," 'Purito' predicts. "The only doubt I have is that he has not raced for a long time after his fall and injury in the Tour de France, we'll see how he does today."

As one of the most loved figures in Spanish cycling during his career, Rodriguez also casts an eye on the current generation, headed up at this edition of their home Grand Tour by Carlos Rodriguez, Enric Mas and Mikel Landa.

"There are no doubts about Carlos Rodríguez because he is one of the riders who has worked well for this Vuelta a España and he is a very good possibility for the podium. Enric Mas came out of the Tour de France in very good shape, and above all he was furious for not having been able to compete in the general classification that he likes to ride, and I think that in this Vuelta a España he will find himself again, and the issue of Mikel, well, we all know it: all or nothing. I hope we meet a Mikel Landa again like we met in the Tour de France, because he is possibly the bravest of the three," Rodriguez assesses of the trio.