Benidorm CX World Cup arrives: favorites, schedules and how to watch

There are only three races left in the Cyclocross World Cup, and less than 40 points, which can be earned with a victory, separate the top 6 in the overall standings. Leading the classification, despite having skipped 4 of the 9 races held, is Mathieu van der Poel, who counts his participations by victories. With these ingredients, the race in Benidorm arrives, where Van der Poel's presence is still completely uncertain.

Cyclocross World Cup Schedule – Benidorm

Sunday, January 18, 2026

• 9:30 – Junior Men
• 10:35 – Junior Women
• 12:00 – U23 Men
• 13:40 – Elite Women
• 15:10 – Elite Men

The favorites for the overall Cyclocross World Cup have their first match ball in Benidorm

With the uncertainty still unresolved regarding Mathieu van der Poel's presence in Benidorm, which, if it occurs, would make him the undisputed favorite given his absolute dominance in the competition throughout the season, the one who will be willing to take the overall lead from him will be Thibay Nys, who found victory again at the Belgian Championship, where he successfully defended the title he won a year ago.

Also in the fight for the overall title is Emiel Vestrynge, who won silver at the Belgian national championship, which served to confirm the leap in quality he has made in recent races, placing him in a position to fight for victory and not just a Top 10 finish.

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Similarly, the Belgian national championship helped Michael Vanthourenhout to rediscover his best version, the same one that amazed us at the start of this season. He does this just in time for the most decisive phase of the season and with full possibilities to fight for both the overall World Cup title and the Superprestige, and in between, the World Championship.

We also cannot forget, in light of a possible victory in Benidorm, another who defended his national title, Tibor del Grosso, who will again wear the colors of the Dutch flag.

Regarding the Benidorm race, it is essential to include in this selection of favorites Felipe Orts, who did the same and secured his eighth national title. A race that takes place just a few kilometers from his home, and in whose design and success he has had some influence. An Orts who has returned to being what he was last year, growing throughout the Christmas period to also arrive at the final stretch of the season in his best shape.

Among the women, anything other than a victory for Lucinda Brand would almost be strange, despite not having her best day in Zonhoven and being surpassed by Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who is regaining her best level. Of course, one should never discount a rider as tenacious and never giving up as Puck Pieterse.

Cyclocross World Cup Circuit in Benidorm

As we mentioned a few months ago, in this new edition of the Benidorm race, cyclists will find significant changes in the circuit configuration. While it is essentially the same fast and twisty layout we are used to seeing, the change in the location of the finish straight to the steep asphalt climb that is ascended midway through each of the turns practically changes everything. A climb that is also preceded by a flight of stairs, so if the race reaches the final lap tightly contested, the finish could be heart-stopping.

Among the new features of the layout is also a longer sandbank, 100 m, in the place where the finish used to be, which will surely be one of the key points of a circuit where we have always seen races with a large group at the front, making it difficult to create gaps.

How to watch the Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm

Once again, winter sports are winning the battle over cyclocross in the Eurosport lineup, so the only option to watch it on this channel will be through the HBO-Max platform.

On the other hand, there is the indefinable treatment that RTVE has given to the Cyclocross World Cup races in recent weeks. The public channel started the year by broadcasting all the events of this competition, only to stop airing them during the Christmas season without any reason, not even through its web platform RTVE Play. Initially, the Benidorm race is scheduled in its lineup, although it does not specify whether it will be through the Teledeporte channel or only via its web platform.