Joaquim Rodriguez happy with top ranking
World number one Joaquim Rodriguez has said he is happy to have climbed the UCI rankings during the 2010 season, adding that he hopes to keep improving in 2011.
Rodriquez, who just finished his first season with Russian team Katusha, claimed a two Grand Tour stage wins this year, at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.
His consistency on the ProTour saw him claim the number one spot in the UCI ranking, succeeding his compatriot Alberto Contador, winner of this year's Tour.
"I'm really happy to have taken the world number one ranking," Rodriquez told Spanish daily
AS. "I saw Alejandro Valverde triumph in the same way on two occasions at Caisse d'Epargne and I know what it means. I might not be world champion, but I am like Rafa Nadal in being world number one because of my consistency. It's not easy staying
in top form from February to September."
The rider, who looked likely to clinch the overall victory at the Vuelta in September before he fell behind to Vincenzo Nibali in the final time trial, said that his victory in the 12th stage of the Tour was the highlight of his season.
"It had the most impact because it was the Tour and because I beat Alberto Contador mano a mano, because he wanted to win as well, there were no agreements between us."
Targets podium place at 2011 Tour
Next season, which will be the 31-year-old's 11th on the ProTour, Rodriguez has said that he will prioritize the classics, as well as the Vuelta and the Tour.
The route of the latter, which was announced on Tuesday, 19 October, should suit the Spaniard's appetite for tough ascents.
"Can I win the Tour? Why not? The route is better for me than this year's because there are a lot of mountains and not much time trialling. More realistically, I'm aiming to finish on the podium and win a stage."
Tags: