At just 19 years old, Carlos Rodriguez is the youngest rider on the UAE Tour. But the most interesting aspect surrounding this Spanish rider is not his age, but the fact that he is balancing the demands of being a rider in the world's biggest team with a five-year degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. The Spanish teenager recently completed his first semester in Malaga and has been allowed to join the UAE Tour and make his World Tour debut with Team Ineos. It was a tumultuous few days for the two-time Spanish junior time trial champion, who suffered two crashes in the third stage, sandwiched between supporting Eddie Dunbar and Chris Froome.

"I'm feeling good and getting used to riding more distances. I hope to adapt to the level of the World Tour during this week," he told Cycling News.

"I want to learn from my teammates and be as far ahead as possible. I don't have a particular stage I'm aiming for. I don't want to win mountain stages, but I want to be at the front. I'll have to see how my legs feel."

"I'm happy just to be here. I want to help the team, especially Chris, and learn as much as I can."

Rodriguez suffered two crashes on stage 3, but completed the first mountain stage of his career. He started stages 4 and 5 with a bandage on his right arm, but Matteo Tosat, Team Ineos' directeur sportif, was quietly impressed with the young Spaniard's performance.

Rodriguez's racing schedule for the remainder of the year has not yet been finalized, and he will be balancing his racing education at Team Ineos with his university education at home, along with his schoolwork.

"I'm going to do some small races in Europe to adjust myself to this level. I won't be participating in too many races, but I want to move forward step by step," he explained.

Rodriguez's path to Team Ineos took a certain route. His manager is super agent Giuseppe Acquadro, who has many clients on Team Ineos, including Egan Bernal, Richard Karapas, Andrei Amador, Ivan Sosa, and Michał Kwiatkowski, and team manager Dave Brailsford He is an Italian who has a strong bond with the team.

When approached by Ineos in 2019, Rodriguez knew the opportunity to sign on was too good to turn down, but at the same time the team has supported his off-the-bike education.

"It was through my manager. He saw that I was doing well and got in touch with the team. We stayed in touch and the team was happy to have me. It's the best team in the world and it's every young rider's dream to be a part of it. When I first got the news that I could join, I knew I had to sign here," Rodriguez explained.

"I didn't think I could go straight to the World Tour, but when I got this opportunity I knew it was the best choice. Maybe I could have been under-23, but here I am still taking small steps and adapting. That means I can give my best in the future. I am not thinking about the Grand Tour.

As a 19-year-old in the UAE, he is learning on the job, so to speak. His English is more than adequate, but he can also exchange words in Spanish with fellow newcomer Andrei Amador. For now, Rodriguez is taking it all in his stride, though he admits to feeling slightly star struck at times.

"Last year, or just a few months ago, I was watching them on TV, and now I'm having dinner with them and talking with them at the dinner table. I really appreciate what they are teaching me."

For Rodriguez, every day is a learning experience, whether he is at home or traveling with Team Ineos.

"At home, I have a five-year degree and I'm just starting. I'm taking a few lessons this year to balance cycling and studying. I study on my own while I'm away and go to classes when I'm at home."