News

David de la Cruz Second in Queen Stage Sibiu Tour

David de la Cruz finished second in the queen stage of the Sibiu Tour in Romania on Friday. The 36-year-old Spanish rider finished only 20 seconds behind race winner Matthew Riccitello. He is now second in the overall classification with another two stages to go.

4 July 2025

The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in Sibiu Tour, a four-day stage race in Romania, is Frederik Frison, Joey Pidcock, Nicoló Parisini, Walter Calzoni, Harm Vanhoucke and David de la Cruz. Parisini sprinted to third on the opening stage on Thursday.

On Friday the traditional climb to Bâlea Lac – 25,9 kilometers at 5,7% average – was on the menu. At 203,5 kilometers it was a long stage in exceptionally warm circumstances.

Frison, Pidcock and Parisini helped set the pace to the foot of the climb. Then Calzoni, Vanhoucke and De la Cruz remained in a group of only 20 riders.

At 15 kilometers from the line there was a group of only three left with De la Cruz there. Matthew Riccitello attacked from that group and De la Cruz crossed the line in second place. Harm Vanhoucke won the sprint of the chasing group and came in fourth.

David de la Cruz said: “The stage went really well for the team. They all did a really good effort and were very committed. For sure we wanted to go for the win but Riccitello was very strong. We saw that in Tour de Suisse already.

My mistake was to react a little too late to the attack. Obviously, he was the strongest guy but I could have played my cards better and hold his wheel. The shape is good and tomorrow is another good opportunity to get that victory. I am happy with the team. After a third for Nicoló and second place today we hope to go for the win tomorrow. I am looking forward to tomorrow, especially after today. We will try our very best for the stage win and the general classification.”

Saturday is another hard stage although at only 164,8 kilometers it’s a lot shorter than the first two days. It ends with the climb to the Păltiniș Arena, a 9,7-kilometer long climb at 6,1% average.