“That contract is still there and that is the reality. I can not tell you more" - Movistar still waiting on final decision from Carlos Rodriguez

One of the stars of the 2023 Tour de France, Carlos Rodriguez sparkled, taking a stage win and finishing 5th in the general classification. As such, the battle for his contract is fierce as both current employers INEOS Grenadiers and the highly interested Movistar Team fight it out to secure his services.

"Nothing is final yet. That contract is still there and that is the reality. I can not tell you more,” Sebastian Unzue, the Movistar Team boss has told GCN, referencing a pre-contract agreement in place with the Spanish starlet. Whether or not Rodriguez takes that contract or stays put at the INEOS Grenadiers however, remains to be seen.

“INEOS Grenadiers are also still interested, they have been there for several months, and they are trying to convince him to stay,” Unzue continues, explaining the delicate situation. "Life goes on. There are so many riders in the peloton and talents who are out of contract for next year. Whatever happens, I am open to new opportunities and maybe they will turn out better.”

"It's not the end of the world if he stays with INEOS," concludes the Movistar boss. "The plan was to race with Carlos as the leader of the classification next year, but we have now reached a point where we don't know what will happen."