The Cyclocross World Championship in Benidorm is getting closer after the decisive visit from the UCI

The city of Benidorm has taken a decisive step in its aspiration to become the host of the 2031 Cyclocross World Championships. Over two days, a delegation from the International Cycling Union (UCI) visited Benidorm to analyze all aspects of a bid that seeks to bring back to Spain the great event of world cyclocross more than four decades after the last edition held in our country.

The UCI inspects Benidorm and brings Spain closer to the World Championship 41 years later

The inspection went far beyond the competition course. The representatives of the UCI reviewed the circuit located in the parks of Foietes and El Moralet, which has been the venue since 2023 for one of the most successful events of the World Cup, but they also evaluated logistical issues, hotel capacity, mobility, infrastructure, and institutional support.

The visit represents one of the most important phases of the selection process. In fact, the head of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm Costa Blanca and leader of the bid, Pascual Momparler, defined these meetings as “an exam” for the city.

“We want to present the best dossier ever. We believe this is a unique opportunity because Benidorm is ready to show that the Valencian Community is a cycling region and because our World Cup event is recognized as one of the five best on the circuit,” explained Momparler.

From 16,000 fans to a World Championship for 35,000 spectators

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One of the strongest arguments of the bid is the growth experienced by the World Cup event held every January in Benidorm. Since its debut on the international calendar in 2023, the event has established itself as a favorite for both riders and fans.

Each edition gathers around 16,000 spectators in the parks of Foietes and El Moralet, a figure that the organization hopes to more than double if they host the World Championship. The estimates made during the UCI visit point to an attendance close to 35,000 people during the key days of the championship.

The city's accommodation capacity is precisely one of the strengths of the bid. Momparler highlighted that the hotel offer of the Costa Blanca allows for the guaranteed handling of the massive arrival of teams, media, and fans from all over the world.

Full support from institutions

The bid also has significant institutional support. The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, assured that the city enters the process with “infrastructure, circuit and accommodation capacity, experience, and enthusiasm,” in addition to the work carried out by the organizing team.

For his part, the General Director of Sports of the Generalitat Valenciana, Luis Cervera, defended that Benidorm “meets all the standards” required to organize an event of this magnitude.

“Having five years of lead time will allow us to improve edition after edition to reach the highest levels of quality in 2031,” he stated.

The commission accompanying the bid is made up of the Generalitat Valenciana, the Provincial Council of Alicante, the City Council of Benidorm, the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation, and the Cycling Federation of the Valencian Community.

A World Championship that Spain has not hosted since 1990

The selection of Benidorm would also carry significant historical weight for Spanish cycling. Spain has not hosted a Cyclocross World Championship since 1990, when the event was held in Getxo.

The city of Benidorm knows what it is like to host a major international cycling championship. In 1992, it was the venue for the Road World Championships, where Italian Gianni Bugno won the rainbow jersey in the men's elite race.

Van der Poel, Van Aert, and Nys endorse the prestige of Benidorm

The sporting prestige achieved by the World Cup event is also reflected in its palmarès. In the men's category, riders such as Mathieu van der Poel, winner in 2023 and 2026, Wout van Aert in 2024, and Thibau Nys in 2025 have raised their arms in victory.

In the women's competition, Fem van Empel dominated for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), before Lucinda Brand won in the 2026 edition.

The UCI's final decision is expected in September. If the bid succeeds, Benidorm will not only bring back the Cyclocross World Championship to Spain 41 years later, but it will also definitively establish itself as one of the great international capitals of this discipline.