Joaquim Rodriguez is leaving the predominantly Spanish Caisse d`Epargne team at the end of the season to ride for the Russian Katusha squad in 2010.
At Katusha, the Spaniard will lead the team’s charge in the Ardennes classics, and at the same time be reuniting with former teammate Vladimir Karpets.
Rodriguez cites a financial conditions, a leadership role, and the opportunity to race the Tour de France as the biggest factors in his decision. Had he stayed with his Caisse d`Epargne team, he would always serve as a backup to team leader Alejandro Valverde.
But with the International Cycling Union set to take Valverde to the Court of Arbitration in Sport to extend his 2-year doping ban beyond Italian borders, whether he will be able to compete next year remains uncertain. For Rodriguez to have made the decision to switch teams before the hearing might indicate that he has other reasons for the move.