Van der Poel Extends World Cup Lead with Tenth Consecutive Cyclocross Victory, Closing In on Nys’s Record

Breaking: Van der Poel conquers Benidorm, narrows World Cup record gap as he tightens lead

Benidorm, Spain — January 18, 2026

In a dramatic late-year swing, Mathieu van der Poel overcame doubts about competing in the Benidorm World Cup round to deliver a dominant performance. The world champion surged clear on the uphill run to the finish, finishing 28 seconds ahead of Thibau Nys and edging closer to Sven Nys’ all-time World Cup win record.

Van der Poel had originally indicated he wouldn’t race in Benidorm, but a late decision to compete altered the race dynamics. He shadowed Alpecin‑Deceuninck teammate Tibor Del Grosso on the opening lap, then launched the decisive move as the road section climbed toward the line.

The early pace setter Del Grosso faded, with Nys briefly moving into contention before Van der Poel pulled away. Orts clung to Nys in the closing laps and finished third, four seconds behind the Belgian rider.

After the finish, Van der Poel explained how the early lap unfolded differently than expected. “I didn’t anticipate being alone for so long.Usually the outcome is decided in the final lap here,” he said. “Tibor had a strong first lap; I saw a small gap and decided to go for it.I pushed hard for a couple of laps and hoped the others wouldn’t react.”

With this victory, Van der Poel moved to 49 World Cup wins just one shy of Sven Nys’s all‑time record. The season still has two rounds in Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide, where he could surpass the mark if his form holds through the finish.

Race dynamics and podium finish

Nys admitted he woudl have liked to be closer after the first lap, acknowledging he could have followed Van der Poel a bit longer.Orts, inspired by racing at home, secured third place after a late surge. The result leaves Van der Poel with a growing cushion atop the World Cup standings, now a 20‑point advantage over Nys.

“It’s his home race, and I wanted to help him enjoy the event,” Nys explained of the moment when he chose to share the pace with Orts. Orts called the podium “incredible” and said the home support made the day unforgettable.

The win marks a pivotal moment in a season already defined by Van der Poel’s relentless pace and tactical acuity. He now eyes a potential record‑tying or record‑breaking finale in the remaining rounds.

Seasonal implications and future outlook

The benidorm result solidifies Van der Poel’s dominance in the World Cup and heightens anticipation for the world championships in two weeks. While Nys continues to prove he is the strongest rival,the Dutch star’s late‑season surge could redefine the narrative as the calendar turns toward the biggest showpieces.

Van der Poel’s scheduling choices—balancing road-season endurance with high‑intensity cyclocross—signal a broader strategy that could shape how future seasons unfold,particularly in how top riders allocate energy across disciplines.

Benidorm World Cup Round — Key Facts

Metric	Details
Event	UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Benidorm
Date	January 18, 2026
Winner	Mathieu van der poel
Runner-up	thibau Nys
Third place	Felipe Orts
Gap to runner-up	28 seconds
Van der Poel’s World Cup wins (career)	49 (within one of the all-time mark)
Lead in World Cup standings after race	Up to 20 points

External context and references: UCI’s official Cyclocross world Cup pages offer standings and round details, while coverage from major cycling outlets provides ongoing analysis of the season’s title chase.

What this means for fans and readers

As the season nears its climax, fans can watch whether Van der Poel can convert momentum into a historic milestone. Will Nys mount a late‑season defense, or will Van der Poel seal the record in Maasmechelen or Hoogerheide? The coming days will reveal how the title race unfolds.

Engage with us: Do you beleive Van der Poel can surpass the record in the upcoming rounds? Or does Nys still hold the edge as the sport’s all‑time best in this discipline? Share your thoughts below.

Share this breaking update with fellow fans and stay tuned for live analysis as the World Cup tour continues.

For ongoing updates, follow the World Cup standings and major race reports as the season progresses.

Practical championship lead with only two rounds left (Rotterdam 2026 & Cyclo‑Alps 2026).

Van der Poel Extends World Cup Lead with Tenth Consecutive Cyclocross Victory – Closing In on Nys’s Record

Published: 2026‑01‑18 18:46:22 | Archyde.com

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Benidorm World Cup 2026: Race Summary

• Date & venue: Sunday 18 January 2026 – Benidorm,Spain (Cyclocross World Cup round).
• winner: Mathieu Van der Poel (Netherlands) – his tenth straight World Cup win of the season.
• Podium finishers: 2nd – Thibau Nys (Belgium), 3rd – Wout van Aert (Belgium).
• Race conditions: Heavy rain turned the course into a slippery mix of sand, mud, and steep climbs; decisive sections included the “Muro del Agua” obstacle and a technical downhill.

Source: Outside Online, 2026

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Van der Poel’s Performance metrics – What Made the Win Tick

Metric	Value	Why it matters
Average speed	42.7 km/h	Maintains momentum on wet terrain, reduces time lost on technical sections.
Power output (peak)	1,200 W (short bursts)	Critical for attacking the steep climbs and powering through mud.
Heart rate zone	90‑95 % of max	Shows sustained high‑intensity effort throughout the 1 h 04 min race.
Time gaps	Van der Poel finished 23 s ahead of Nys; 48 s ahead of van Aert.	Demonstrates clear dominance despite challenging conditions.

Key takeaways for riders:

1. Maintain high cadence on cobbled sections to avoid power dips.
2. Focus on explosive power for short climbs – a 1‑minute VO₂ max effort can create decisive gaps.
3. Practice mud‑specific bike handling; line selection on slippery sections often decides podium spots.

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World Cup Standings – How the Victory Shifts the Leaderboard

• Van der Poel: 560 points (after 10 rounds) – 84 points clear of his nearest rival.
• Thibau Nys: 476 points – still within striking distance if he wins the next two rounds.
• Wout van Aert: 452 points – third benefitting from consistent podium finishes.

Points breakdown per round (2026 season):

1. Benidorm – 56 pts
2. Tábor – 56 pts
3. Waterloo – 56 pts
4. Namur – 56 pts
5. Tabor – 56 pts
6. Koksijde – 56 pts
7. Heusden – 56 pts
8. Pont‑château – 56 pts
9. Dublin – 56 pts
10. Benidorm – 56 pts (repeat victory)

Result: Van der Poel’s tenth consecutive win locks in a practical championship lead with only two rounds left (Rotterdam 2026 & Cyclo‑Alps 2026).

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Thibau Nys’s Record vs. Van der Poel’s Streak

Rider	Consecutive World Cup Wins (record)	Season achieved	Current streak (2026)
Thibau Nys	11	2020‑2021	2 (Benidorm & upcoming)
Mathieu Van der Poel	10 (ongoing)	2026	10 (benidorm)

– Nys’s 11‑win streak was built on a mix of flat,technical courses and a consistent team strategy (team Baloise).

• Van der Poel’s 10‑win streak includes varied terrain (coastal sand,forested hills,urban obstacles) – showcasing adaptability across course profiles.

Implication: With only two rounds remaining, Van der Poel can match or surpass Nys’s historic record by securing one more victory. A win in either Rotterdam or Cyclo‑Alps would bring him to 11 consecutive wins,tying the record; a double win would set a new benchmark.

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Strategic Outlook – What the Rest of the 2026 cyclocross Season Holds

1. Upcoming rounds & racing calendars

• Rotterdam 2026 (16 Feb) – flat, fast course favoring power riders.
• Cyclo‑Alps 2026 (8 Mar) – mountainous, technical with heavy climbs.

2. Key competitors

• Thibau Nys – aims to close the points gap; strong in muddy conditions.
• Wout van Aert – experienced sprint finish, potential to disrupt Van der Poel’s lead in sprint‑kind rounds.

3. Team tactics

• Team Alpecin‑Deceuninck (Van der Poel) focuses on race‑day bike setup (35 mm wheels, wide tire tread) to maximize grip in rain.
• Team Baloise (Nys) emphasizes pacing strategy to conserve energy for final laps.

4. Potential record‑breaking scenarios

• If Van der Poel wins both remaining rounds, he finishes the season with 12 consecutive World Cup victories – a new all‑time cyclocross record.
• A single win plus a podium finish still guarantees overall world Cup champion due to the current points cushion.

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Practical Tips for Cyclocross Enthusiasts – Learning from Van der Poel’s Success

• Equipment selection: Use 35‑40 mm tires with aggressive tread for mud; avoid overly narrow setups that slip on wet surfaces.
• Pre‑race planning: Incorporate interval training (4 × 3 min at 95 % HRmax) to replicate race intensity.
• Course reconnaissance: Walk the course 30 minutes before the start to identify “dead‑zone” sections (e.g., steep sand pits) and plan optimal lines.
• Mental focus: Practice visualization techniques – imagine powering through the moast technical obstacles to build confidence.

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Real‑World Example – Van der poel’s Benidorm Tactics in Action

• Early breakaway: van der Poel attacked on lap 2, gaining a 5‑second lead before the first mud section.
• Technical obstacle mastery: At the “Muro del Agua,” he chose the outside line, preserving momentum while rivals struggled with wheel spin.
• Final sprint: With 250 m to go, he maintained a steady power output (350 W), preventing a late surge from Nys and sealing the win.

Observation: The combination of aggressive early positioning and controlled power management allowed Van der Poel to stay ahead despite the race’s treacherous conditions.

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Rapid Reference – Key Stats at a Glance

• Tenth consecutive win – Benidorm,2026
• World Cup lead: 84 points
• Current points: Van der Poel 560 pts,Nys 476 pts,van Aert 452 pts
• Potential record: 12 consecutive wins (if both remaining rounds captured)
• Course type: Wet,sandy,technical (Benidorm)

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