"Even Van Aert paid for that..." - Felipe Orts sees key reason for missing podium at World Cup Benidorm

Felipe Orts was looking for the podium at the World Cup in Benidorm but had to settle for sixth place. The Spaniard, who had just won his seventh national title, was unable to beat his rivals despite having "the best race possible".

In statements to the EFE agency he commented that a clash with Eli Iserbyt was key to losing his chances of the podium: "When there were three or four laps to go I had a little touch with Iserbyt and I have lost a lot of positions. That made me suffer to get back to those positions. I think I wasted a bullet that I needed to fight for the podium".

In his home race he hoped to get his third podium of the season, but it was not to be. Despite this, he was satisfied with his performance in a race that was very complicated at the tactical level and in which many riders reached the end with options:

"I was very close, but I was in the fight. I knew it was difficult to get it, but I'm happy because again I improved on last year's place and that means I've taken another small step. I raced very well. Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout always do teamwork and even Van Aert paid for that. I had the best race possible."

Racing at home made him feel once again a special emotion in Valencian lands: "I felt all the support from my town, from all the Valencian Community... even the Belgians were on my side today! I'm very happy because in this race it's amazing how the public cheers me on. Not only me, but all the riders. That makes Benidorm one of the best races of the season".