Felipe Orts, the cyclist from Villajoyosa, delivered a strong performance this Saturday in muddy conditions, securing an impressive third place in the race that drew praise from fans and critics alike. Competing in the renowned Telenet Superprestige cyclocross series, Orts demonstrated resilience and skill on a course softened by rain, turning a difficult surface into a showcase of steady power and precise handling. The Belgian venue provided a stern test, yet Orts rose to meet it, signaling a peak moment in his current season and a sign of momentum heading into future events.
Last week, the Valencian rider had already marked a notable week by finishing ninth at the European Championship, a result that came in a fiercely contested event in Pont-Château, France. The field was stacked with world-class contenders, and Orts’ performance underscored his consistency at the continental level. Just two weeks prior, he had earned a fifth-place finish at the Maaschelen World Cup round in Belgium, a result that helped cement the notion that he was in excellent form and capable of competing with some of the best in the sport on the international stage.
Felipe Orts’ big week
JA Galvan
In a race that featured a 41-second gap to the winner, Orts crossed the line in third place behind Eli Iserbyt, the Belgian who claimed victory in a time of 1 hour 03:45. This podium was particularly meaningful for Orts, as it marked his third appearance on the podium in Belgium and his first podium in the Superprestige series. The day underscored the trajectory of Orts’ season, highlighting the steady climb from solid performances to more frequent podium finishes against a field packed with elite riders. Standing 25 points behind the second-placed rider, Dutch racer Joris Nieuwenhuis, Orts’ result added a fresh chapter to his ongoing pursuit of overall standing and confidence as the season progresses.
With the Belgian round now in the books, Orts faced another challenge on the schedule. On Sunday, he was set to race a World Cup test in Bergen, Norway, where the level of competition would be even higher and the course demanding in its own right. Orts and his team approached the race with a clear objective: to finish inside the top ten and add valuable points to his season-long tally. This next assignment represented another opportunity to demonstrate his versatility across different courses, conditions, and race formats, reinforcing the sense that he is entering a especially productive stretch of racing where consistency matters as much as outright speed.