David de la Cruz rolls back the years to claim Spanish Men’s National Time Trial title

David de la Cruz (Q36.5) has rolled back the years to claim the Spanish National Time Trial Champion’s jersey on Friday, dominating a hilly 33-kilometre course near Madrid.

Riding on the same rugged course as the Elite Women’s time trial, held earlier in the day, De la Cruz finished 33 seconds clear of 18-year-old Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost), with former National TT Champion Raúl García Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) in third, 36 seconds back. 

Key pre-race favourite Oier Lazkano (Movistar), second last year, did not have his best day, and finished two seconds outside the medals.

A former Vuelta a Espana stage winner and leader, the Nationals is De la Cruz’  first victory since a stage in Paris-Nice in 2018 and the second taken by his team this season.

"I'm really happy, in 2021 I only lost the title by less than a second, and that leaves you with a sense of unfinished business," De la Cruz said in an interview provided by the Spanish Cycling Federation.

"I knew I had a good chance this year, but I suffered a lot out there on the course. It was a really hard one, these last few days we've had a tailwind blowing in the last part coming into the finish, but today it was virtually flat calm, so I really suffered."

"I was telling myself - today has to be the day, today has to be the day, because maybe I won't have the same chance again. I'm just really happy and I can hardly believe it's true."

"There were a lot of top names here, Markel did a great TT in Pais Vasco, Raúl Garcíá Pierna is a former Spanish national champion and Lazkano is a real reference point."

"That level of riders gives it extra prestige. It's a shame that Mikel Azparren (Q36.5 teammate, seventh - Ed.) couldn't get on the podium, but now let's see how we get on on Sunday in the road race. Hopefully we can get a medal there as well."

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