David de la Cruz discussion thread

[Akuryo]

Seems like his Vuelta last year wasn't a fluke. A stage win at Paris-Nice this year and another one at Itzulia with a 4th Overall. How well can he do in this years Vuelta? He got a lot of time because of that breakaway in 2016. Can he get another top 10?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

If he can climb and TT like he has been doing here, than yes he can certainly top 10 the Vuelta without free breakaway time. I think I prefer him as a stage hunter though - that's where he has really been shining.

 

[Valv.Piti]

He can easily get a top-10, he has been climbing well enough to sneak into top-5 if he is skipping Giro and Tour.

Its funny, all the talk about the crisis of Spanish cycling and yet I think it looks pretty bright right now.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I want him to be the younger, more Spanish, Steve Cummings not some anonymous top 10 GC rider.

 

[Akuryo]

Re:

He can easily get a top-10, he has been climbing well enough to sneak into top-5 if he is skipping Giro and Tour.

Its funny, all the talk about the crisis of Spanish cycling and yet I think it looks pretty bright right now.

Yeah, Verona, Mas, de la Cruz, Soler, ... there are some really interesting names who are starting to make a name for themselves. But to be fair, 2 years ago it looked kinda grim with Contador, Valverde and Co. getting older.

I want him to be the younger, more Spanish, Steve Cummings not some anonymous top 10 GC rider.

That is the question. Is he strong enough to maybe someday challenge a podiumspot or is he better off as a stage hunter. Look at GVA who started winning races when he was 27-28. Before he was a solid rider but nothing more. Now he is considered a favorite for most classics. Or GC-wise you can take Scarponi who had his first top 10 in a GT with 30 (and added 3 more after that). So who knows what the limit is for de la Cruz?

 

[Akuryo]

Second race at Sky, first victory.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And impressive improvement against the clock. Though that seems to be a theme at Sky

 

[Blanco]

Maybe he switched bikes with Froome

 

[Velolover2]

Riding Strade? I know Kwai is the leader, but he could do well there if he can ride on dirt tracks like this.