It has been 11 years since Spain has hosted a UCI Cyclocross World Cup. That’s way back when Sven Nys and Kevin Pauwels were the headliners.
The 2023 UCI World Cup Benidorm is a unique event as this will be Benidorm’s first time hosting a UCI Cyclocross World Cup. Some of cyclocross’ biggest riders will be attending the race.
Elite Women
Powerhouse Fem van Empel (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) has recovered from her crash in Zonhoven and heads to Spain to defend her series leadership.
Here are some of the big racers that will be attending the race:
- World Champ Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma)
- Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions)
- Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Deceuninck)
- 2023 UCI World Cup Zonhoven winner Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions)
- Fem van Empel
- Annemarie Worst (Team 777)
Seven North Americans will be attending the race.
Five Americans will be attending the race.
- Lizzy Gunsalus
- Clara Honsinger (Ef Education – Tibco – Svb)
- Jennifer Malik
- Raylyn Nuss
- Emily Werner
Two Canadians will be attending the race.
- Sidney Mcgill
- Maghalie Rochette
See the full start list below.
2023 UCI World Cup Benidorm Start List Elite WomenWith two more races and a 30-point lead, Fem van Empel is in a strong position and most likely to win. Even if Van Empel finishes third and Puck Pieterse finishes first for the last two races, Van Empel will still win by five points. Here are the current top 10 standings.
UCI World Cup Current Standing Elite Women
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VAN EMPEL Fem | 355 |
| 2 | PIETERSE Puck | 320 |
| 3 | VAN ANROOIJ Shirin | 239 |
| 4 | VAN DER HEIJDEN Inge | 207 |
| 5 | ALVARADO Ceylin Del Carmen | 203 |
| 6 | BETSEMA Denise | 181 |
| 7 | BRAND Lucinda | 169 |
| 8 | SCHREIBER Marie | 151 |
| 9 | BAKKER Manon | 144 |
| 10 | CLAUZEL Hélene | 129 |
Junior Women
The Canadian Holmgren sisters will be the only North American representatives for the 2023 UCI World Cup Benidorm.
Lauren Molengraaf has won every single UCI World Cup Junior Women’s race this season. With such a strong position, it’s almost certain she wins. So even if Fleur Moors wins first for both races, all Molengraaf needs is 35 points to win. That means eighth place and ninth place in the last two races would be enough to reach 35 points, with her title sealed if she wins any of the last two races. See the full start list below.
2023 UCI World Cup Benidorm Start List Junior WomenHere are the current top 10 standings.
UCI World Cup Current Standing Junior Women
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MOLENGRAAF Lauren | 120 |
| 2 | MOORS Fleur | 74 |
| 3 | GERY Célia | 72 |
| 4 | HOLMGREN Ava | 69 |
| 5 | HOLMGREN Isabella | 58 |
| 6 | VAN SINAEY Xaydee | 54 |
| 7 | LOPEZ DE SAN ROMAN Vida | 50 |
| 8 | HANÁKOVÁ Eliska | 49 |
| 9 | CORVI Valentina | 47 |
| 10 | DE SCHEPPER Lore | 42 |
