Benidorm
Sunday 21 January 2024
After an 11-year absence, the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup returned to Spain on 22 January. Newcomer Benidorm was the setting for two exciting races.
WOMEN ELITE
The first World Cup race on Spanish soil since Igorre in 2011 was right up Fem van Empel's (Jumbo – Visma) alley. She made it ahead of compatriots Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Deceuninck) and Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions). Van Empel is also certain of the overall victory in the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup after this win. Read more.
MEN ELITE
In a lightning-fast and incredibly exciting cross under the Spanish sun, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) sprinted to victory. He made it by a few metres ahead of Wout van Aert (Jumbo – Visma). Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) was allowed to join the podium. Laurens Sweeck (Crelan – Fristads) finished fourth and can call himself overall winner of the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. Read more.
