In a breathtaking display of skill and endurance, Cyclo-cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (from Alpecin-Premier Tech) once again showcased his remarkable prowess in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup held in Benidorm. Right from the first lap, he executed a solo attack that left his competition trailing far behind, further solidifying his commanding lead in the series.
Belgian rider Thibau Nys, representing Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions, managed to outperform Spanish champion Felipe Orts from Ridley, securing the second position on the podium.
How the Race Unfolded
As the elite men's race commenced under clear blue skies, the 55 competitors faced a challenging course that featured a rapid blend of dry dirt, grassy patches, deep sandy areas, and even some sections with standing water—an exciting yet treacherous mix.
Van der Poel had a minor hiccup at the start but quickly regained his momentum, settling into a strong position behind Del Grosso, who had claimed the initial lead. This strategic positioning proved advantageous when European Champion Toon Aerts from Lotto-Intermarché made a costly mistake during the first hurdle, crashing and inadvertently obstructing other riders. This incident gifted Van der Poel and Del Grosso a crucial lead right from the outset.
As Van der Poel accelerated and began to distance himself from the pack, Nys managed to catch up and surpass Del Grosso. However, by the end of the second lap, they rejoined forces along with Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley) and several others, but they were already a significant 30 seconds behind the world champion.
During the third lap, Nieuwenhuis gained an advantage over the chasing group, only to be reeled back in by Nys and Hendrikx, forming the first major pursuit group while Del Grosso lagged a few seconds behind.
Midway through the race, the intensity eased as Nys made a pit stop for a new bike, rejoining a larger chase group that had now grown to seven riders, still trailing Van der Poel by 47 seconds.
On the fifth lap, Orts decided to launch an aggressive attack, swiftly creating a gap that thrilled the local fans. He completed the lap just three seconds ahead of Nys, who was making his own move to close the gap.
Though Nys succeeded in catching up to Orts, with Van der Poel so far ahead, their chances of claiming victory were slim. After the race, Nys expressed some disappointment about not being positioned better at the start, as he felt he had the strength to keep up with Van der Poel longer. “I believe if I had been closer to the front early on, the outcome might have shifted, even if we ultimately finished in the same spots,” he explained in a post-race interview.
Despite this, Nys collaborated with Orts to reduce Van der Poel's lead by seven seconds. On the final lap, Nys managed to pull away from Orts, who nevertheless celebrated his podium finish enthusiastically, performing a wheelie for his home crowd.
"This is incredible for me. I am truly delighted. Achieving a podium finish at home feels absolutely surreal," Orts shared. "I made my move at the perfect moment, and Thibau and I worked well together. It pushed us to our limits, but I’m thrilled with how it turned out."
Nys acknowledged the significance of Orts’ home advantage, noting, "It was a fantastic opportunity for me to push harder, and I enjoyed having him alongside me in front of his supporters."
Final Results
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Laura Weislo has contributed to Cyclingnews since 2006, transitioning from a career in science to sports journalism. As Managing Editor, she oversees North American event coverage and global news updates. Having competed at an elite level in road racing and dabbling in cyclo-cross and track racing, Laura has a deep passion for all cycling disciplines. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys camping and exploring less-traveled roads and trails. Her expertise includes doping issues, anti-doping policies, UCI governance, and performance data analysis.
