Who to compete with Wout van Aert under the Benidorm sun?

Wout van Aert did well in his recovery by winning his first two cross country races of his season during the first weekend of January. In Dendermonde, the day after his success in Gullegem, the Campinois broke away from Emiel Verstrynge after around twenty minutes to finish the event alone. In the absence of his rival Mathieu van der Poelthe Belgian will be the big favorite in the men’s race under the Spanish sun.

After his winter training camp in La Nucia, Spain, the 30-year-old from Campinois is preparing for the last two events of his (short) cyclocross season: the World Cup rounds in Benidorm and to Maasmechelen. In mid-February, van Aert will take part in his first road race of the year, the Clásica Jaén, before jetting off to the Tour of the Algarve.

Last season, the native of Herentals managed to win at the end of a thrilling race. After a fall by van der Poel in the penultimate lap, which had dashed all his hopes of victory, van Aert was ahead of Michael Vanthourenhout of three seconds. The current leader of the World Cup and his first pursuer, Toon Aertsare also expected at the start. That is, Iserby will also be there, as will the brand new Belgian champion, Thibau Nys.

Among women, the title holder Fem van Empel and his compatriot Lucinda Brand will be there, as will Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado et Marianne Vos.

Follow the tenth round of the Cyclocross World Cup from 1:30 p.m. on the Pickx+ Sports 1 channel, available in the package Pickx Sports from Next. Find ici the complete broadcast schedule of cycling events.