15 Feb 2023
Rodriguez third in Ruta opener
Related riders
Carlos Rodriguez
Ruta del Sol stage one: Puente de Génave › Santiago de la Espada, 179km, Volta ao Algarve stage one: Portimão › Lagos, 200.2km.
Carlos Rodriguez battled to a strong third on the opening stage of the Ruta del Sol as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) sealed a solo victory.
Rodriguez sprinted to third in the chase group behind, finishing 38 seconds behind Pogacar on the stage of the race with the most climbing metres.
Tao Geoghegan Hart and Pavel Sivakov were in the next group behind Rodriguez, finishing fifth and sixth respectively to make sure there were three Grenadiers in the top 10.
Rodriguez sprinted to third in the chase group behind, finishing 38 seconds behind Pogacar on the stage of the race with the most climbing metres.
Tao Geoghegan Hart and Pavel Sivakov were in the next group behind Rodriguez, finishing fifth and sixth respectively to make sure there were three Grenadiers in the top 10.
By contrast, the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve was set to suit the sprinters, with Tom Pidcock fighting to fifth in a bunch kick.
Pidcock battled for position in a tricky finish which saw the riders battered by a headwind which meant timing was key, with Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X) coming out on top.
Stage two will see another change of pace, with more climbing on the menu and a summit finish to Alto de Foia for the team to contend with.
Pidcock battled for position in a tricky finish which saw the riders battered by a headwind which meant timing was key, with Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X) coming out on top.
Stage two will see another change of pace, with more climbing on the menu and a summit finish to Alto de Foia for the team to contend with.
