Key Takeaways:
– The ninth round of the UCI World Cup series is set to take place in Benidorm on January 19, 2025.
– Wout van Aert is among the notable names to compete, with the absence of his rival Mathieu van der Poel.
– Lucinda Brand is set to potentially seal the women’s World Cup series win.
– Viewers globally can access live streams via UCI’s YouTube channel, though geo-restrictions apply.
– Dedicated coverage for UK, US, and Canada viewers through paid streaming services.
The Magic of Cyclocross in Benidorm
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, the UCI World Cup continues its premier cyclocross series down south in Benidorm. Among the big names in action in this ninth round of the 2024-25 season is cyclocross star Wout van Aert. The event follows last season’s successful run, which witnessed Van Aert and Fem Van Empel taking home the victories.
A Packed Men’s Field
Joining Van Aert is a solid men’s field, bristling with talent including the World Cup series leader, Michael Vanthourenhout. Other notable names include Eli Iserbyt, Toon Aerts, Laurens Sweeck, Felipe Orts, Thibau Nys, and Lars van der Haar. However, noticeably absent is Mathieu van der Poel, Van Aert’s long-time rival and five-time world champion. Fans can keep their hopes alive as the duo is set to intertwine their sporting rivalry at Maasmechelen the following Sunday.
A Riveting Women’s Race
Turning to the women’s race, Lucinda Brand is on the brink of securing the World Cup series win. A victory will seal her dominance this season. However, Fem van Empel, who has triumphed in more World Cups than Brand this season, is a formidable threat. Joining them in the action are racers Puck Pieterse, Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado, Zoe Backstedt, and Marie Schreiber, making for a riveting race.
How to Watch Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm
For the global audience, the UCI once again streams the Benidorm round of the Cyclocross World Cup for free on its YouTube channel. No registration or payment is needed; simply head to the channel on game day to enjoy the action. Unfortunately, geo-restrictions apply, rendering the stream inaccessible in countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
For fans unable to access the free UCI stream, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help. VPNs allow users to mask their location, granting access to region-restricted content. TechRadar recommends NordVPN for both streaming and bolstering cybersecurity.
Tailored Coverage for US, Canada, and UK
US and Canada viewers can catch the action via FloBikes, a dedicated cycling streaming service. Though the UCI’s free stream is blocked in these regions, a FloBikes subscription for $29.99 a month or $150 a year will grant seamless access.
UK fans, meanwhile, can stream the Benidorm round of the Cyclocross World Cup on Discovery+. While no television coverage exists due to the concurrent Australian Open tennis event, Discovery+ provides extensive cycling coverage. A standard subscription is priced at £6.99 a month.
Mark the Schedule
The Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm race kicks off at 9:30am CET/8:30am GMT/4:30am ET on January 19 with the Men’s Junior category. The Women’s Junior, Men’s U23, Women’s Elite, and Men’s Elite races follow at scheduled intervals, ending with the Men’s Elite race at 3:10pm CET/2:10pm GMT/9:10am ET.
Final Thoughts
The upcoming Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm promises an action-packed event for fans worldwide. With a strong field of world-class athletes, viewers can anticipate electrifying performances in the beautiful Spanish town of Benidorm. Remember to schedule accordingly to catch the action live.