Retired Spaniard called up for Il Lombardia, Abu Dhabi Tour
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Joachim Rodriguez finishes stage 20 at the Tour de France(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain) crosses the finish line for the final time in his career(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) reflects on his final Tour de France(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) celebrated his last race in Spain with his family(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
An emotional Joaquim Rodriguez announced he would retire at the end of the year(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez marked an emotional end to his career after finishing in fifth place in his debut in the Olympic Games road race in Rio de Janiero last month but has been called upon to race again with his Katusha team for the upcoming Il Lombardia - which Rodriguez won twice - and the Abu Dhabi Tour in October.
Rodriguez told AFP that if the team needs him, he will fulfil his contractual obligations.
"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 said.
"The decision I took was to stop cycling after the Olympic Games, but my contract with Team Katusha is until December 31st."
Rodríguez confirmed to Eurosport today that he will race Milano-Torino, Giro del Piemonte, Il Lombardia and the Abu Dhabi Tour, but those would be his final races.
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