Benidorm reclaims Cyclocross World Cup for Spain
Felipe Orts, the Villajoyosa rider competing for Burgos BH, secured another remarkable victory this Sunday, reaffirming his status as the top national specialist in cyclocross. He extended his dominance and remains one win away from matching the all-time national records held by David Seco and José Luis Talamillo.
The recent performance also showcased Orts’ strong form ahead of the World Cup event scheduled for next Sunday in Benidorm. He emerges as one of the principal contenders, ready to defend his standings on a challenging course that will test the riders’ endurance and strategy.
A Alicante native, Orts dominated the national championship from start to finish. He began with the pole position and maintained the lead from the opening lap. Mid-race, he increased his pace and broke away from his closest rival, Jofre Cullell, who represents the Catalan Federation. As the race progressed, Orts widened his advantage, crossing the line with a solo finish and a clear margin, signaling his fifth national title and cementing his status as a five-time Spanish champion. Cullell finished in second place, and Kevin Suárez of Team Nesta MMR CX secured third.
Orts expressed elation at clinching the national crown once again. He noted that while Cullell showed strong early pace, the latter periods of the race allowed Orts to widen the gap and maintain control. He explained that maintaining a sustainable tempo was crucial, and he eventually built a lead of up to 30 seconds over his rival. The victory also relieved some of the pressure of carrying the Spanish champion’s jersey into the next season.
Social media posts captured the moment, highlighting Orts as a front-runner who remains comfortable in the spotlight and ready to shoulder the expectations that come with being a national champion. The team and supporters celebrated the result as a testament to Orts’ consistency and resilience, underlining the rider’s ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most.
The champion reflected on the journey, emphasizing that everything aligned well on race day. He acknowledged the challenging week and the build-up to the event, yet he found the performance he needed to reaffirm his leadership in the national scene. With this title, Orts continues to wear the Spanish jersey with pride and looks ahead to defending his status in the forthcoming World Cup.
The rider from Vila is set to return to the Alicante region soon, turning attention toward the World Cup event in Benidorm scheduled for the upcoming Sunday. The anticipation within the Burgos BH squad remains high as they prepare to translate this domestic triumph into confidence on the international stage.