Angel Rodriguez began racing minibikes in the Spanish Championship at the age of ten and was crowned champion in just his first year. He retained the title in the following two seasons and in 1998 contested both the Aprilia Cup and 125 Spanish Championship. After 3 years of learning in the popular national competition, Rodriguez lifted the title in 2001 despite simultaneously coping with the demands of his first full season in the 125cc World Championship. The gritty youngster showed signs of his class with 6th place in the third race of the season at Jerez and fought for victory until the last lap at Phillip Island, when Simone Sanna crashed out in front of him, leaving no other option than the gravel trap. The next six years saw Rodriguez sporadically contesting the 125cc and 250cc, with 2004 his only full season. In that time he claimed the 600cc Spanish National Championship title in 2008, and also made four World Supersport appearances. He returns to the World Championship in 2012 riding for the Moto2 Stop and Go Team.