Key INEOS rider has been misfiring over the past two seasons - One thing needs to change in bid to solve major issue
Cycling
Carlos Rodríguez needs a change of direction. The Spanish rider has endured two seasons well below expectations and faces the challenge of rediscovering the form that once made him one of Spanish cycling’s brightest prospects in 2027.
Before thinking about fighting for major stage-race titles or chasing prestigious results, however, he must address a far more important issue: being able to race without interruptions.
The key to bringing the best Carlos Rodríguez back does not necessarily lie in changing his sporting goals, increasing the pressure or demanding results from his first race. It comes down to something much more basic: avoiding crashes and injuries, and completing a full season. If he can achieve that first goal, his best form could reasonably be expected in the second half of 2027.
It would make little sense to demand major results from him in the opening months. His priority should be to rebuild his confidence, feel competitive again and string races together without physical problems interrupting his progress.
Even if he rides a Grand Tour, it may be best to take on a domestique role, without the obligation to fight for the general classification and with the aim of rediscovering his form.
It is worth remembering that not so long ago, Carlos Rodríguez was among the best riders on the international scene. In 2023, he produced an outstanding performance at the Tour de France, finishing fifth overall and winning a stage. It was a hugely valuable result that confirmed the promise he had shown.
Carlos Rodriguez
2023 and 2024 showed what Carlos Rodríguez can do
He had already demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level in 2022, finishing sixth at the Vuelta a España despite suffering a crash during the race. In 2023, alongside his fifth place in France, he finished in the top 10 at the Dauphiné, placed fourth at the Vuelta a Andalucía, tenth at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and seventh at Il Lombardia.
He looked capable of excelling on almost any terrain. More importantly, that progress continued in 2024, a season that also deserves to be regarded as outstanding.
Carlos Rodríguez finished second at the Itzulia, where he also won a stage, claimed the overall title at the Tour de Romandie and placed fourth at the Dauphiné, again with a stage victory. At the Tour de France, he returned to the top 10 with seventh place, although the demands of the season later caught up with him and he could manage only tenth at the Vuelta a España.
In other words, he showed for two consecutive seasons that he had the ability to compete with the best. This was no rider who produced one isolated result and then disappeared. He put together a string of high-level performances across different races on the calendar.
From the difficulties of 2025 to a challenging 2026
The problems began in 2025. His season gradually unravelled, and the results stopped coming. He finished sixth overall at the Vuelta a la Comunitat Valenciana, failed to complete the UAE Tour and fell short of his previous level in two important races: he placed sixth at the Tour de Romandie, having won the previous edition, and ninth at the Dauphiné.
The situation worsened at the Tour de France. Rodríguez could not find his best form and abandoned after a heavy crash on stage 18, on the way to Courchevel and the Col de la Loze. The consequences of the accident kept him out of competition for the rest of the season.
The 2026 season has done little to change that pattern. Although he opened the year with second place at the Tour de la Provence, he soon found himself well short of the results he had achieved two years earlier. Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya offered no chance to shine, while the Tour de Romandie, where he had won in 2024 and finished sixth in 2025, ended with a modest 12th place.
He found no answers at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly the Dauphiné, where he finished 20th. He placed fourth at the Tour of Austria without making the podium, while at the Vuelta a Burgos he failed to crack the top 20. His appearance at the Vuelta a España also produced no standout performances.
The overall picture is concerning, particularly after two seasons in which he had shown that he could compete for far more ambitious goals.
Ineos need a return on their investment in the Spanish rider
The wider context also matters when considering Carlos Rodríguez’s situation. The Spaniard will remain with INEOS Grenadiers in 2027, the team that made a significant financial effort to sign him.
Movistar Team were interested in bringing him on board, but INEOS ultimately paid more than €1 million to secure the Almuñécar rider. It was a major investment that has yet to deliver the expected returns.
Still, it would be premature to write off a rider who is only 25 and has seven professional victories to his name, including stage wins at the Tour de France, the Itzulia and the Dauphiné, as well as the overall title at the Tour de Romandie.
Carlos Rodríguez still has the ability to become an important rider again. What he needs is the stability he has lacked over the past two seasons.
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In modern cycling, consistency is essential to making progress, maintaining good form and continuing to improve. Crashes, injuries and illness prevent riders from building up racing weeks and working from a solid foundation.
That is why his goal for 2027 should be much simpler than it might seem: Carlos Rodríguez needs to be able to ride, train and race without another setback bringing his season to a halt.
If he can manage that, his best form could emerge in the second half of the year. He does not need to prove in February that he is still the rider he was in 2023 and 2024. He needs to regain his confidence, feel like a cyclist again and, above all, get the chance to string together months of racing.
He has already shown his talent. Now he needs to regain his consistency and show what he can do once more.
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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