Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
On the face of it there aren't many things that BMX and Tour de France racing have in common. Sure they both involve bikes - and the design of the bike has remained remarkably stable over the century it has been around - but the clothes fit differently, the tyres are radically different widths and one involves a mid air acrobatics, while the other avoided them at all costs.
But, as Carols Rodríguez found out on the descent of Col de Joux Plane on stage 14 of this year's Tour de France, there are some transferable skills.
“I was just focused on doing the climb as quickly as possible, and when I managed to get back before the descent, I took advantage of my good descending skills. I think the victory came from the descent, and I’m sure my past as a BMX rider helped.”
Rodríguez carved his way down the mountain with poise while the two yellow jersey contender Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar mostly looked at each other as they took a more cautious approach.
While the 22 year-old Spaniard displayed nerves of steel his team boss Rod Ellingworth wasn’t so comfortable. “That descent,” said the Ineos Grenadiers deputy principal, puffing out his cheeks as he exhaled. “I couldn’t watch. Well, I was watching but I was turning away at every corner.”
He added: “He’s been getting better each day. To win from a GC group that’s what is quite impressive. We knew that Pogacar and Vingegaard are messing around there but he took the opportunity. He read it well.”
Summing up his own feelings Rodríguez said: “It’s incredible, just to be here. So getting a victory, even more. I still can’t believe it, I’m super grateful to my team, all my teammates for working for and trusting in me. Hopefully I can make the work worth it in the coming days.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
He added that he wasn’t sure if he could keep his podium spot, he is just one second ahead of Australian Jai Hindley in fourth, saying he simply had to get to the finish as quick as possible each day. “I’m not going to obsess myself with getting that third sport,” he said.
With two stage wins and one foot on the podium Ineos Grenadiers took another step towards making their Tour an unqualified success. Ellingworth said the squad's goal at the race start in Bilbao had been two stage wins, top five or a podium and the teams classification (which they are currently leading). While he said there was "a lot of bike racing to go" the understated Ellingworth said the team were "doing alright at the minute".
For Rodríguez all there was left to do, having thanked his team-mates profusely, was to dedicate his win to someone. “It’s my parents, who have supported me forever, they did everything for me, and it would be impossible to be here without that support. They still try to always be there for me. This victory is really for them.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
US-made, recyclable carbon road wheels: Forge+Bond expands into road cycling with its all-new CR Series
Building onto its gravel and mountain collections, the Utah-based company aims to deliver “exceptional performance and comfort on every ride”
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Calling all women sports photographers - a $50K scholarship is up for grabs from Peak Design and The Roam Collective
Peak Design and The Roam Collective have partnered to offer the Roam Media Core Scholarship, which provides up-and-coming U.S.-based femme sports creatives with funding and industry connections.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Tour de France stage winner leaves hospital, one month after being hit by car driver
Lennard Kämna to fly home to Germany to begin rehabilitation after incident in Tenerife last month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Biniam Girmay leads Intermarché-Wanty, Kaden Groves for Alpecin-Deceuninck
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s 'almost professional again' in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard leaves hospital after Itzulia Basque Country horror crash
Danish rider underwent surgery to repair broken collarbone; too early to know whether Tour de France return will be possible
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Will the Tour de France be won by the last man standing?
With Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič hitting the deck at Itzulia Basque Country, all three now face battle to get their seasons back on track
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock unable to bear weight on right leg after Itzulia Basque Country crash
British rider crashed during recon of opening stage time trial last weekend and injured his right hip
By Tom Thewlis Published