Freddy Rodriguez insists that Veulta podium still possible.

While Fast Freddy Rodriguez has missed the first ten stages of the Vuelta a Espana and is now over 38 minutes behind leader Chris Froome (Sky), the American sprinter still believes a podium finish is possible.

"There's no question there are a few guys ahead of me on GC but I'm not out of the race yet. They don't call me Fast Freddy for nothing. My legs feel great and I can make up the time," said Rodriguez.

According the reports, Rodriguez flew directly from the US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado -- where he sprinted to third place in the final stage to Denver-- to start his Vuelta in Spain.

"It might seem impossible to jump into the Vuelta when it's half over, but I like to push myself," said Rodriguez. "I speak fluent Spanish so I just made a few calls to Javier Guillén [Vuelta director] and they gave me a special invite. Better late than never."

Still a 38 minute deficit in the Vuelta won't be easy to erase, especially with more mountains to climb. Still, Rodriguez seems undaunted. "Hey, I was just climbing in the Colorado Rockies, over 12,000 in elevation. There's nothing like that in Spain so I plan to hit the gas."

That now means there are two Rodriguez's in the Vuelta a Espana, with Joaquim Rodriguez of Katusha also vying for a podium spot despite lying 3:23 behind Froome.

However the man who once gave the world Fast Freddy coffee and now a new cycling apparel line, is thinking big. "Think about it -- it's never been done -- making up 38 minutes in a grand tour," said Rodriguez. " That's my dream."