Michal Kwiatkowski and David de la Cruz lead Team Sky hopes at Vuelta
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ByEurosport
Updated 22/08/2018 at 09:56 GMT
Michal Kwiatkowski and David de la Cruz will head up Team Sky's La Vuelta bid with Chris Froome and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas competing at the Tour of Britain.
Michal Kwiatkowski
Image credit: Getty Images
Team Sky have won the last four Grand Tours including the Giro d’Italia in May and the Tour de France last month - and will look to make it a clean sweep for the year in Spain.
GC contenders Kwiatkowski and De la Cruz are supported by Tao Geoghegan Hart - the British 23-year-old making his Grand Tour debut - Jonathan Castroviejo, Sergio Henao, Salvatore Puccio, Pavel Sivakov and Dylan van Baarle.
Kwiatkowski won the Tour of Poland this month.
“Vuelta selection is another important step in my career. I’ve never raced two Grand Tours in one season, so I am intrigued to see how my body will react to that challenge. But I don’t feel any pressure – just excitement before a new experience," said Kwiatkowski ahead of Saturday's stage one time-trial in Malaga.
It’s been a busy summer for me. Just six days after the Tour de France I started in the Tour of Poland and was able to stay in top shape, winning my home race. This year I’m trying to finish the season with a slightly different approach. I think that staying in a racing rhythm might just suit me.
De la Cruz is aiming to impress on home soil.
“It’s so exciting. The Vuelta has been my big goal of the season. I’ve worked really hard in the months following the Giro d’Italia and finally it’s time," he said.
“I felt really comfortable during Vuelta a Burgos and feel really at home in the team. Everyone was working perfectly together there and I’m really looking forward to La Vuelta. It’s my home race and it’s going to be special to do it with Team Sky.”
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Chris Froome and David de La Cruz
Image credit: Getty Images
Team Sky chief Sir Dave Brailsford is predicting another strong showing from his riders.
“We always enjoy racing at La Vuelta and historically we’ve enjoyed great success at this race, finishing on the podium four times before winning in 2017. We’ve had a great season to date, winning both the Giro and the Tour, and we’re determined to finish the season well," he said.
In Michal Kwiatkowski, I believe we have a rider who is capable of one day winning a Grand Tour. He has already showed his ability in one day races and now he is progressing well in his development as a stage racer. He has stepped up and won week-long World Tour stage races this season and for the second year running was a key performer in our recent success at the Tour de France. This Vuelta provides another opportunity for him to further himself and gain valuable experience as a GC rider.
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GB's Yates wins Stage 7 in Poland, Kwiatkowski takes overall victory
“David de la Cruz is in a similar situation and continues to develop as a GC rider. He comes into the race in great form and has shown real signs of progression in his first season with us. I’m really excited to work with him during this race."
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