Joaquim Rodriguez forced to shelve immediate retirement plans

Joaquim Rodriguez is scheduled to ride four more races this season, despite planning to retire after the Olympic Games

Joaquim Rodriguez attacks on stage 20 of the Tour de France. Photo: Yuzuru Sunada

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

The plan was to hang up his wheels after the Olympic Games road race in August, but Joaquim Rodriguez may have to suit up and race again for Katusha this season.

While the Spaniard had hoped for an early farewell, Katusha seem determined to make the most of his services, with his contract expiring on December 31.

As such, Rodriguez has been lined up for four more races this season, including the Giro di Lombardia - a race he won in successive years in 2012 and 13.

"If the team requires me to participate in the remaining races on the calendar, I have no choice but to get back on the bike and participate, whether I like it or not. We'll see," Rodriguez told AFP.

"The decision I took was to stop cycling after the Olympic Games, but my contract with Team Katusha is until December 31st."

As well as the year's final Monument, Rodriguez is scheduled to ride Milano-Torino, the Giro del Piemonte and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Tour.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.