After finishing on the podium rather than the top step in her previous two outings, Lucinda Brand returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion at the Benidorm World Cup, riding clear of her rivals to take a solo victory on the fast and demanding Costa Blanca circuit. The win also confirmed her overall success in the World Cup standings.
From the opening lap, the women’s race showed signs of breaking apart quickly. The redesigned start section encouraged aggression, with Amandine Fouquenet launching strongly and forcing the pace early. Brand positioned herself perfectly near the front, while Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was briefly delayed as gaps formed behind the initial acceleration.
As the laps unfolded, Fouquenet continued to press on, stretching the group and drawing Brand into an increasingly selective lead group. The pace took its toll, but by the midpoint of the race Brand began to assert control, applying repeated pressure through the technical sections and on the asphalt climbs that defined this year’s Benidorm layout.
The decisive move came midway through the race. Brand accelerated sharply, first reducing the front group and then riding clear altogether. Fouquenet was briefly able to respond, but the Dutch rider’s combination of power and precision soon told, opening a gap that would only grow as the race progressed.
Behind, Alvarado worked her way back into contention, regaining composure after her difficult opening laps. She closed down the chasers and stabilised her effort, while Fouquenet continued to fight for position as the heat and repeated efforts began to bite.
By the final lap, the outcome at the front was no longer in doubt. Brand powered through the closing kilometres with a clear advantage, riding a controlled final lap to seal a dominant victory and underline her authority in the World Cup series.
Benidorm World Cup 2026 women elite results
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Photo Credit: GettyThe men’s race followed a similarly decisive script, as Mathieu van der Poel delivered a devastating long-range solo effort to dominate the elite field and continue his imperious World Cup campaign.
A brief hesitation at the start did little to unsettle Van der Poel, who quickly moved to the front as the race hit the first technical sectors. An early incident behind him created a split in the field, and once a small gap opened, the world champion wasted no time in committing fully.
Within the opening lap, Van der Poel was already riding alone, exploiting the fast surface and flowing course to stretch his advantage. The chasing group, containing Thibau Nys and Felipe Orts, attempted to organise a response, but the pace at the front proved unmanageable.
As the race settled, the gaps stabilised. Van der Poel continued to extend his lead with relentless consistency, while behind him the fight for the remaining podium places became the central battle. Orts, buoyed by strong local support, timed his efforts well and remained prominent in the chase, while Nys rode a measured race to distance the rest of the contenders.
Despite brief surges and reshuffling in the group behind, there was no realistic threat to the leader. Van der Poel maintained full control, managing his advantage expertly through the latter stages before easing slightly on the final lap to take another commanding World Cup victory.
Benidorm World Cup 2026 men elite results
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