The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca 2024 has already begun.
The El Moralet and Foietes parks have undergone their yearly make-over to host the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca circuit. Hundreds of enthusiastic participants had the opportunity to enjoy the circuit on Saturday, during the Benidorm CX national-level event. On Sunday, the UCI World Cup event will help decide the final winners of the most prestigious international tournament in our sport as the audience enjoy the scene’s brightest stars: Mathieu Van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Puck Pieterse.
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The layout of this second edition of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca keeps the same essence as in 2023, although it has introduced some small changes in order to enhance the fan’s experience that affect, above all, its surrounding spaces. As far as racing is concerned, the most obvious change will be found in the final straight, which is now remarkably longer than last year. In addition, the passage through the forest area of El Moralet has also been significantly modified reducing the distance per lap down to 3.000 meters.
The organization of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca has actively listened to the feedback of the spectators after its first edition, implementing important improvements to facilitate the circulation of spectators, adding more crossings and two new Fan Zones. On the same note, six giant screens have been installed so that the races can be followed from any point on the circuit.
(c) BenidormCX / Yago Urrutia
A party for everyone
One of the great goals with which the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca was born in 2023 was to turn the whole weekend into a great party to be enjoyed by everyone. The BenidormCX was born for this purpose. In cooperation with the cycling federation of the region of Valencia, a National level event with races for all ages was held on Saturday. Like in 2023, the Benidorm CX attracted thousands of cycling fans who turned up and cheered for the races in an atmosphere that guarantees that the UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm-Costa Blanca on Sunday will be, once again, one of the most crowded events of the season.
Once the Benidorm CX was over, the spectators could enjoy the first official training of the weekend with the presence, among others, of the likes of Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar, Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado or Puck Pieterse… And, of course, the best Spaniard female, Lucía González, and the great local idol, Felipe Orts. During these training sessions, the cyclists were able to see first-hand the state of the renovated Benidorm circuit, which despite the rain that fell overnight was, as the cyclists themselves have explained, in perfect condition to host the five races on the UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca 2024 program.
(c) BenidormCX / Yago Urrutia
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, the summit of Cyclo-cross
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in the winter specialty of cycling. The Benidorm Costa Blanca event is the second-to-last on a string of fourteen rounds that have visited the United States, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy and The Netherlands. Belgium’s Eli Iserbyt is the current leader of the Elite Men version, whereas Netherland’s Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado top the Women Elite standings. Both can ensure their victory this weekend in Alicante.
The history of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup dates back to the 1993-1994 season, when Belgium’s Paul Herygers registered his name as the first winner ahead of his compatriots Danny De Bie and Marc Jannssens. Since then, and in the men's category, only three more countries have seen one of their cyclists win the trophy: Italy, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Much more recent is the appearance of the women's category in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, which had its first official classification for women in the 2002-2003 winter, with the victory of the Dutch Daphny van den Brand. In this case, the final victories have gone, besides of The Netherlands, to Germany, United States and Belgium.
(c) Benidorm CX / Yago Urrutia
Benidorm, sports destination
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup – Benidorm Costa Blanca will also provide the nearly 20,000 people who are expected to attend the event with an opportunity to get to know in depth one of the main tourist destinations on the Mediterranean coast. In addition to some of the best urban beaches in Europe and a wide and varied gastronomic and leisure offer, Benidorm has endless sporting possibilities to offer its visitors.
With more than 150 kilometers of bike lanes and cycle paths in its metropolitan area, Benidorm has established itself as one of the great destinations for cycling tourism in all of Europe. This is especially remarkable in the coldest months of the year, when it is rare for the thermometer to drop below 20º C in the central hours of the day. Benidorm hotels have been able to develop a range of top-level specific services not only for travelers who love cycling, but also for a wide range of other sports such as golf, football, water sports, outdoor activities and a very long etcetera.
