A few days after announcing the signing of Maxime Bouet, Omega Pharma-Quick Step have continued the process of bolstering its stage racing roster. Today the team have confirmed the signing of talented climber David de la Cruz who has been riding in NetApp-Endura colours for the past two seasons.

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team has reached an agreement with 25-year old David de la Cruz for the next 2 seasons (2015-2016).

Career highlights for the Spanish rider include a top 10 GC finish in the 2014 edition of AMGEN Tour of California after placing 2nd on the Mountain High finale of Stage 6.

The path to cycling for De la Cruz has been unique.

“I didn’t know I had a talent for the sport until I was 18, when I started to ride my bike to the supermarket where I worked, after an injury,” De la Cruz said. “One day I asked the local team guys if I could train with them and they said yes. That is where my career started. If you would have told me, at 18 years of age, that I would be riding for one of the best teams in the world by the time I was 25 I would have told you that you’re crazy.

"Now I am here signing a contract with OPQS and I am proud and happy. I know a few of the guys from the team, especially Michal Kwiatkowski when we were teammates on Caja Rural.

"When I talked with Patrick Lefevere he explained that my role on the team would be to help the GC guys in the mountains, but that I can also be useful in the right moments. I will do all that I can to grow as a rider. No one can understand how happy I feel right now and I will do everything 100 percent to continue to develop as a rider on this team.”

“We think this guy has his best years in front of him," OPQS CEO Patrick Lefevere said. "He has already shown his potential the past two years, such as when he was 2nd on the queen stage at Tour of California.

"We knew about him and that he could be a rider that could strengthen the group of climbers we already have on the team. When I spoke with him, we came to an agreement quickly. I think he can be a factor in the climbs next year and we’re happy to have him with us at OPQS.”