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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