Rising Spanish star Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) recognizes that after a breakthrough season in 2022, changes to the 2023 team roster have increased his chances of shining next year.

The 21-year-old Rodriguez finished third in the 2022 season at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, won a stage at the Itzulia Basque Country, took a stunning solo victory at the Spanish National Championships, and finished seventh overall despite injury at the Vuelta a España, San Sebastián and Il Lombardia, and a fifth place finish in both.

Rodriguez, who consistently performed well from February to October and never lacked ambition, recently told AS (opens in new tab) that he hopes to raise his level even higher in 2023.

Besides, he agreed that with fewer top riders in the Ineos Grenadiers in 2023, he would enjoy greater opportunities in the Grand Tours.

When AS told Rodriguez that Adam Yates and Richard Kalapas leaving Ineos Grenadiers in the off-season would raise his standing within the team, he agreed, adding that the most important thing was to race well regardless.

"Maybe so," he said. There are fewer leaders in the Grand Tours, but the important thing is to perform."

"If you do well, you have a chance and you can fight in the race. If it goes the other way, you run for your teammates. Whatever happens, the important thing is that I do well."

Similarities are often noted between Rodriguez and another up-and-comer who may well carry Spain in future Grand Tours, Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates. Like Ayuso, Rodriguez made his Grand Tour debut at this year's Vuelta a España.

However, while Ayuso, who finished third in the 2022 Vuelta, has already stated that he will focus on the Spanish Grand Tour in 2023, Rodriguez has left open the possibility of competing in both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

"Any new race I take part in is great," Rodriguez told AS. 'But every rider dreams of one day competing in the Tour de France. And the Giro. But every rider dreams of competing in the Tour de France one day. Movistar team manager Eusebio Unzué has made no secret of his interest in signing Rodriguez for 2024, but the Spanish racer declined to say what his plans are beyond next season.

"I am very happy with the team and we will see what happens as the season goes on. I hope they trust me in the big races. My calendar isn't set yet, but hopefully my goals and the team's goals will mesh well."

In any case, Rodriguez recognized that signing with Ineos Grenadiers at the age of 18 and racing for a WorldTour team at a young age has worked out very well to date.

"At that point, starting at the World Tour level was all about adapting myself to what they expected of me, without pressure. If I had been on the U-23 team, it might have been more demanding. At Ineos, I knew I could do a good job while doing things that were appropriate for my age."

In any case, looking back on the 2022 season, Rodriguez said he did not expect it to be as good a year as it was, but in 2023 "we have to take another step forward."

"It was going well from the beginning, when I finished third in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. I felt like a kid who got a Christmas present. Then the rest of the season went well, and after three years of working hard with the team it was great."

"In 2023, we have to take another step forward, both in terms of feelings and results, to be able to compete with the best riders."