After 82 days of competition, Spaniard Joaquim ‘Purito’ Rodríguez puts an end to a long season, capped by fourth place in the Vuelta a España. He won five races for his Katusha team throughout 2010, including stages in the Tour de France and the Vuelta. The tired Spaniard sits atop the UCI ranking but is skipping the World Championships to recharge his battery for an even better 2011.
Finishing fourth in the Vuelta was a great result for Rodríguez, but he still has some regrets. "Sure, it hurts having finished just off the podium," he says. "It was a really good year, but it would have been incredible to top it with a podium finish in the Vuelta, which I think was within reach for me."
The Vuelta was a difficult race, so called it a day right after hitting Madrid. "Skipping the World Championships was a decision made by the National Coach and me. We decided that it was better that way, because my season was very long and the [Worlds] route doesn't suit me that well. In the end, a selection like the Spanish one needs to bring the best riders."
Rodríguez would fit the bill, but the mental and physical strain from his season that started in early February with the Trofeo Mallorca shows. Rodríguez gives up his spot for the team. "I would not be getting there at my best moment," he says.
The Spaniard is quite happy that he was able to pass Alberto Contador in the UCI ranking. "It is something very impressive. It is a competition that is very difficult to win, because you have to be at 100 percent for the whole year. For me and the team it is very important, because it signifies the entrance into cycling's history."
His secret recipe for being on top the whole year is no secret, after all. "In the end it is important to rest, to take care of yourself, to train and above all, you need to choose your objectives well." Rodríguez is aware that he won't be able to do 100 percent for months on end. By choosing wisely he was able to get great results and could become the UCI leader. "Otherwise you are just killing yourself."
He did so many races this year, and it may be more of the same in the coming season, with slight modifications. "I will possibly change some race dates - those that were in the way this year for a very good classics season."
Rodríguez has already ridden all three Grand Tours now, and is less concerned with just doing them. Once he knows the routes for the three big stage races of the year, he will choose his objective. "The way I felt this year in the Vuelta, it may be better to have a clear goal in mind: Giro, Tour or Vuelta - then fight to do the best."
No matter what Grand Tour he will do, one thing is for certain - time trialing will be high on his agenda next year. Finishing 105th in the stage 17 time trial to Peñafiel was not exactly what he had hoped for. "There are no excuses. It was a disastrous day, a day which is best to forget." But Rodríguez wants to look ahead, rather than dwell on the day that dropped him from first to fifth in the general classification.
"This better not happens again. Certainly I will train for it, change the position a bit. I also need to focus more on it - even though there aren't many time trials throughout the year, they can be decisive. Without work you can't get there at all."