Laurens Sweeck misses podium but takes overall World Cup title - "Personally, I think I can do well everywhere this year"

Laurens Sweeck came in fourth at the Benidorm race, just missing the podium, but secured the overall World Cup title due to his significant lead over Michael Vanthourenhout.

"I did what I had to do today," Sweeck told WielerFlits after the race. He was able to stay with Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel for the majority of the race, but ultimately had to fall back in the last lap. "I'm also satisfied with my race. I had some more difficult moments, but it was difficult to keep continuous pressure on my legs. They noticed that at the front as well. But I'm happy with my race and that the spoils are in."

He further added, "Once or twice, I was able to return, which was due to the circuit. Cross is never easy, but there are tougher courses than this.”

He believes the outcome of today's race can give an indication of how the riders will perform in the World Championship. "I think you can kind of measure something, but the differences are going to be a bit bigger there. Now the differences between the top five were small, but there the better riders are going to come out on top faster. Personally, I think I can do well everywhere this year," concluded Sweeck.