For a sprinter, Fast Freddy is a pretty good nickname. Maybe we should amend Fred Rodriguez’s tag to Fast Freddy Forever.
Today in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the guy who was retired from the sport two years ago, then was without a team at the beginning of this season, knocks off his fourth US National Road Race Championship. And what a coup for the little domestic Jelly Belly squad who picked up Rodriguez just a month ago.
We snapped this shot of Rodriquez hanging out in San Jose for the Tour of California time trial last week. Little did he know that a week later, against long odds and battling WorldTour riders, he’d snatch the stars and stripes jersey once again.
Two years ago we interviewed Freddy after the final stage of the US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado. After coming out of retirement for the Exergy squad, he’s taken third in the final sprint in Denver.
Based on that interview we wrote about Freddy in Cycle Sport magazine, saying that the day would come when Fast Freddy was Not So Fast Freddy. Well, two years later, he still has hasn’t let down his nickname. Chapeau, old pro.
I was overjoyed to see “Fast Freddie” win. The smile on his
face and look of joy is what it’s all about. To tell you the truth I had been
hoping for a win by a world tour rider so the stars and stripes would be seen
on the world stage but when Freddie won I changed my mind.
He is an amazing athlete. He told me two years ago when he came back that he really hadn’t lost any speed, he just needed to get used to the race intensity again. Well, he sure did. Matt
The Mad Fiber wheels looked great on the nationals!!!
Crazy mad with stars and stripes! Matt