"It is a difficult day for me and for my family" - Emotional Felipe Orts dedicates Exact Cross Loenhout podium to recently deceased uncle
Cyclocross
Felipe Orts will never forget this December 29, 2023, where in the Exact Cross of Loenhout he has completed what may have been the best performance of his professional career. The Spaniard has climbed the podium along with Mathieu van der Poel, who remains unbeatable this season in cyclocross, where he has won everything he has competed, and has left an image to remember.
Orts was flying, aware that it could be his day, as if something or someone was pushing him from behind to help him finish the race of his life in style. In his statements after the Exact Cross, the Spanish rider burst into tears after confirming that his uncle had passed away just a day before the race. For professional reasons he could not be with his family, but at least he was able to dedicate one of his most special performances to him.
“My uncle passed away yesterday, so I really did this for him. It is a difficult day for me and for my family. Because of the crosses I can't go back to my family. I'm glad I was able to do this,” said Orts, fighting back the tears. “It was a tough battle to finish on the podium. In the last lap Gianni Vermeersch and Ryan Kamp went very fast and I had to fight back. I'm happy that I could finish on the podium."
During these days, Felipe Orts is finishing his current stage with Burgos BH. In three days, with the arrival of 2024, the Spaniard will race with his own team, the FORTS Team.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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#ExactCross #Azencross 🇧🇪 🥳 ¡Sube al podio @felipeorts15 en Loenhout! 👏🏻 Sprint final agónico para lograr la 3⃣ posición en su duelo con Vermeersch y Kamp
📸🇪🇸 FOTÓN DE PRESTIGIO PARA EL GRAN FELIPE ORTS 👏🏻 ¡En el podio del Exact Cross de Loenhout junto a Mathieu van der Poel! Momentazo que has visto en @eurosport_es
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