They are two of the great six and the only members of the six dedicated to cyclocross. So, when the world specialist competition in Benidorm began as a favorite to win in Spain, they had an easy path at first, yet the road soon grew more complex. Wout van Aert bid farewell to the season of sand, mud, stone, stairs, and logs with a spectacular victory, then shifted focus entirely to the asphalt campaign, the spring classics, the Giro, the Games, and the World Cup. Finishing 2024 at the Vuelta, expectations collided with intense emotions for him and for observers alike.
Mathieu van der Poel started with perfection. He dominated every cyclocross race since December, and no one could match his pace. He did not wait for the final round to seal victories, and even Van Aert seemed unable to frighten him, as if van der Poel alone carried the field forward while others chased for second place on the podium. All under the shadow of Raymond Poulidor, his grandfather figure in cyclocross lore. A stumble in Benidorm altered the course, and he admitted to the international signal that he tripped over a fence. This misstep meant the Dutch powerhouse would not reach all eleven cyclocross wins ahead of the World Cup event in the Czech Republic two weeks later.
MVDP’s winning streak ended in Benidorm, yet the race produced a remarkable showdown at the front. The clash drew praise from fans and analysts alike, and a notable post on SportPic_Agency captured the moment of high action at the CX World Cup in Benidorm.
VanAert Before Benidorm, he appeared to be an outsider when discussing 2024 changes, including his Giro debut if he skips the Tour, and the joy of the Vuelta. The buzz around his presence in the Italian tour was so strong that he clarified his plan did not revolve around the general classification but rather on winning additional stages. Of course he joined the race. Tadej Pogacar then signaled that the clear favorite in Italy would be him, with his cyclocross focus rooted in his native Slovenia.
good vibes
Leaving van der Poel aside in Benidorm, Van Aert showed signs of shedding the dust from his legs and the familiar feeling cyclists describe when their muscles finally move in harmony. He stepped on the pedals with a confident rhythm and believed victory could be within reach in front of the Mediterranean crowd. The warmth of the audience and the unmistakable expertise on display gave him added motivation for a strong performance away from the theatres of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Fearful VICTORY for Wout van Aert in Benidorm is the mood of the moment as the race drew to a close. The Belgian rider edged ahead of Van der Poel, who finished fifth for the first time this season. Felipe Orts, sitting in eighth place, offered a strong challenge and the field kept its breath. Televised updates and social posts from the day reflected a festival atmosphere around the event and the ever-present rivalry among the top names in cyclocross.
VanAert and Van der Poel began the race strong, with the start echoing the intensity of motorized speed tests. The stakes were high from the first pedal stroke, a reminder that losing position can feel catastrophic in this sport. Riders moved with urgency as the field canceled out mid race. The two champions faced early pressure from rivals who had spent late autumn and early winter racing across all cyclocross events. As a result, VanAert and Van der Poel found themselves often starting behind the leaders, fighting to climb into the lead early on.
paved section
Progress came through the uphill asphalt stretches, where both showed remarkable speed and superiority over the rest. Midway through the race they led the field at the Benidorm cycling festival. Tom Pidcock, ninth at that moment, enjoyed a few victorious moments in a field guided by the European champion Michael Vanthourenhout who finished in second place, with the energy of the pair powering the event.
#BenidormCX and fresh updates from the CX World Cup kept fans connected as the event unfolded across the Spanish coast, a reminder of the vibrant cross country scene that thrives in the winter months.
While everything pointed to a new duel between the remarkable duo, Van der Poel finished in fifth place after an unfortunate crash on the eighth of nine laps, ending his bid for victory. Van Aert maintained control through the asphalt sections on the final lap, driving toward the win with a blend of power and precision. In the closing moments he chose to traverse a logging area near the finish line, stepping off the bike at a critical moment. He rose soon after, and although the fallored finish altered his plan, Van Aert held on, preserving the lead as Vanthourenhout chased but could not overtake. A lighthearted remark from Van Aert later cited a mishap with a wrist and with the number 13 as a quirky memory of the day, framing a long, successful season that had him feeling strong on the bike. The day stayed positive in the eyes of fans and commentators alike.
Felipe Orts, the Spanish champion, finished eighth though he remained near the frontrunners. In the women’s category, the Dutch and world champion Fem van Empel claimed victory as expected, continuing to demonstrate her dominance across the discipline.
The Benidorm round offered a vivid snapshot of the season’s early drama, featuring tight competition, dramatic setbacks, and the enduring appeal of cyclocross as a sport that blends grit with strategy and style. The story of Van Aert and Van der Poel this season remains one of resilience, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of excellence as they balance cross country form with the broader calendar of elite cycling events. The race left fans with a sense that the season is still unfolding and that the next chapters will bring another round of electrifying battles at the front of the field. This summary draws from contemporary coverage and official race updates, attributed to the organizing bodies and event broadcasters involved in the races described. (Source: UCI Cyclocross, January 21, 2024)