Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is delighted to announce the signing of David de la Cruz for the 2024 season.
With an impressive 11-year career in the professional peloton, the 34-year-old Spaniard brings a wealth of experience and a track record of notable achievements.
Thus far, De la Cruz has clinched five stage victories in prestigious races, including two wins at Paris-Nice and one stage at the Vuelta a España. He boasts 17 Grand Tour appearances in his palmares, having finished three times in 7th place on the Vuelta a España General Classification.
After a season marred by untimely crashes and health setbacks, De La Cruz is eager to return to his peak competitive level and target important goals in Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team colors.
“To be honest, the decision to sign for Q36.5 Pro Cycling team came from the heart. It was the option that felt right and gave me the best feeling of excitement and expectation.
The prospect of having the opportunity to fight again for the win in great races and to achieve good results gave me butterflies. After my talks with Douglas Ryder and Alex Sans Vega, I felt this was the right project and the right decision for this next phase in my career. Everything fell into place, and I’m really happy with my decision,” said De La Cruz.
An exciting stage race talent, De la Cruz is keen on bringing depth to the team’s ambitions for the 2024 season, particularly in stage races that require consistency across varied terrain. Embracing the ethos of the team, the Spaniard acknowledges the stimulating environment that awaits him, backed by stellar sponsors and high-caliber equipment.
Confident in his ability to contribute invaluable experience, he is committed to propelling Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team to new heights.
“This is a team that really motivates me, and I know I will get many opportunities. It’s backed by some amazing sponsors and has high-level equipment, so I know it’s the right environment for me to perform better than I did in the last couple of seasons.
I’ve raced for some of the best pro teams in the world and think I can bring a great deal of experience to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. I’m committed to working hard to help the team take a step up. Moreover, I’m super motivated to take on a different race schedule and explore some new races,” concluded the 34-year-old.
As a Spanish cyclist, it’s no surprise that De La Cruz has achieved exceptional results on home turf beyond the Vuelta a España, namely stage wins at Vuelta al País Vasco and Vuelta a Andalucia.
In Vuelta a Burgos, he also left his mark, finishing twice on the GC podium.
“David has raced for the last nine years on some of the biggest WorldTour cycling teams and has a wealth of experience with 17 Grand Tours behind him. He is a rider we have followed since his first pro team contract and to get the opportunity to bring him into the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team next season is a real win. His climbing prowess and stage race consistency make him a strong reinforcement in the physically demanding races we will experience.
We’re excited to see him winning again and supporting our team in the season ahead,” said Doug Ryder, General Manager at Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
De La Cruz joins the ranks of other stellar signings for 2024, namely Giacomo Nizzolo, Frederik Frison, Rory Townsend, Xabier Mikel Azparren, Jannik Steimle, James Whelan and Alessandro Fancellu.