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Felipe Orts spearheads Spain’s European Championship medal bid as full cyclocross squad confirmed

Cyclocross
Felipe Orts racing in the Spanish cyclocross national champion jersey
Spain have named their squad for the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships in Zeddam, the Netherlands, on 7–8 November. Reigning national champions Felipe Orts and Sofia Rodriguez headline a 15-rider team.
National coach Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga has selected riders across all six categories: elite, under-23 and junior men and women. The championships will bring together many of Europe's leading cyclocross riders.
The squad announcement follows several weeks of monitoring performances on the domestic circuit. The third round of the Spanish Cup, held in Amurrio last weekend, gave Ruiz de Larrinaga a final opportunity to assess the contenders before making his selections.
Orts will lead Spain's challenge in the elite men's race, having begun his new chapter with Fundacion Euskadi with victories in Amurrio and Orduna. The squad announced by the Spanish cycling federation also includes several promising youngsters who will have the opportunity to test themselves against Europe's best.

Spain name 15 riders for Zeddam

Orts will be joined in the elite men's race by Raul Mira, one of the standout performers in the opening rounds of the Spanish Cup. Sofia Rodriguez and Lucia Gonzalez bring international experience to the elite women's squad.
Martin Fernandez and Unax Galan have been selected for the under-23 men's race, with Ana Lopez and Mirari Gotxi representing Spain in the women's event.
Seven riders make up the junior contingent. Pelayo Gancedo, Xavi Vidal, Guillermo Garcia and Mikel Llorente will contest the men's race, while Carla Banuls, Gisela Herrero and Noa Vega line up in the women's event.
The championships will take place on a 2.97km circuit in Zeddam, part of the Dutch municipality of Montferland. Fast sections alternate with technical stretches, corners and repeated changes of pace. A distinctive staircase will force riders to dismount and tackle a series of flights on foot.
Racing begins on Saturday 7 November with the junior women at 11:00 CET (10:00 UK), followed by the under-23 men at 13:00 CET (12:00 UK) and elite women at 15:00 CET (14:00 UK).
Sunday's programme opens with the junior men at 11:00 CET (10:00 UK), followed by the under-23 women at 13:00 CET (12:00 UK). The elite men's race brings the championships to a close at 15:00 CET (14:00 UK), with Orts carrying Spain's leading hopes of a podium finish.
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