"A sunny cross in January is a perfect scenario" - After thumb up from Pidcock and Van der Poel, Benidorm remain hopeful in adding Van Aert to startlist

With the three biggest stars of cyclocross having now revealed their calendars, both Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel are confirmed for Benidorm in January. Although Wout van Aert hasn't given the thumbs up to the cross just yet, race director Pascual Momparler remains hopeful.

"The best in the world are participating, proof that a sunny cross in January is a perfect scenario," a delighted Momparler says gleefully in conversation with Esciclismo. "Van Aert, however, makes it depend on the first crosses on his calendar. He wants to see how he gets through the Christmas period."

Securing the trifecta of cyclocross superstars would be a big win for Benidorm and as such, Momparler is going to do everything in his power to try and convince the Belgian. "Van Aert will be in Alicante with the Jumbo-Visma team by then, and he will take his cyclocross equipment with him," he explains. "We will all have to push him a little to convince him to participate in Benidorm. To say goodbye to his cyclo-cross season in this way."

"We are fortunate that we can now get the three best riders in the world to compete. That may no longer be possible in a few years," Momparler concludes, referencing the fact that this year, the Benidorm cross also an added challenge. "We want to put on a show, with a course that includes a more difficult climb. This way the race will be more split and not stay together for too long. It gives the attackers the opportunity to drive away."