Carlos Rodríguez, a champion for hope

There are victories that are celebrated more than others.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
26 June 2022 Sunday 11:56
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Carlos Rodríguez, a champion for hope

There are victories that are celebrated more than others. There are triumphs that announce the end of a drought or that herald the beginning of a new splendor. There are races that give hope, that bring good news, that comfort. Like an archangel, Carlos Rodríguez appeared alone on the last straight to enter the finish line in Palma and become, at the age of 21, the new champion of Spain. The man from Granada from Almuñécar is one of the new faces that Spanish cycling has been waiting for a long time to complete the replacement of the Contadors, Purito Rodríguez, Samuel Sánchez –already retired– and Valverde, who says goodbye this year. Carlos Rodríguez, second in the last Tour del Porvenir, chose the most symbolic place to show that he is ready.

His excitement and his celebration hitting his chest are signs that Rodríguez had also been looking for such a confirmation for some time. At the finish line, he was not expecting an influencer girlfriend like Van der Poel or a son like Roglic. He is so young (he was born in 2001) that he was greeted by her mother, who hugged him, kissed him on the cheek and whispered something in his ear. Finally, the fans, eager for champions, also spoke.

Minutes later, the Ineos cyclist put on the jersey with the colors of the red flag on the podium. He wanted to be perfect in the photo, and he put on his sleeves, which had been folded up, and combed his hair with his fingers like a comb. His victory has a point of nostalgia as it comes thirty years after Indurain won his only Spanish championship, in Oviedo, in 1992, between his first Giro and his second Tour. The Navarrese did it on his way to 28 springs, the age at which Joaquim Rodríguez prevailed and Valverde won it for the first time. Neither Ocaña (23) or Cañardo (24) achieved it so early.

The Andalusian is called to great success and since February he has been rubbing shoulders with the best in racing. Rodríguez fought with Vlasov, Mas and Evenepoel in the Valencian Community, he was fourth in the Ruta del Sol, he dared to try to chase Pogacar in the Strade Bianche, in March he was a key player in the Volta a Catalunya for Carapaz, in April he premiered his winners with the fifth stage in the Tour of the Basque Country on a very tough ramp in Mallabia and in June he was second in the Occitania Route.

In Mallorca, he had no team (he and Fraile were running) but his attack at Coll de Sa Creu could not be followed by Jesús Herrada (Cofidis) or Aranburu (Movistar). He crowned with 18 seconds of advantage but on the descent, he brought out his mastery of the BMX bike, to extend to 50s at the finish line and not suffer for the victory.

The new generation has kicked down the door on these national championships. In the time trial Raúl García Pierna, 21, beat Oier Lazkano (22) and Mikel Azparren (23). In line Rodríguez won but Juan Ayuso (fourth with 19 years) and the Catalan Roger Adrià, who repeated fifth place with 24, fought until the end. Carlos Rodríguez is the spearhead who is already looking towards the Vuelta in August, where it will be easy to spot him.