With three rounds to go, Michael Vanthourenhout was still in contention for the overall victory in the Cyclocross World Cup but will likely not win the consistency classification. The Belgian is ill and has to skip the World Cup round in Benidorm.
This is a major setback for the leader of Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw, as Vanthourenhout still had a chance at the overall World Cup win. The West Flemish rider is currently third in the standings with 187 points and trails Mathieu van der Poel by thirteen points.
The gap between the two riders is expected to widen significantly after the race in Benidorm, as the world champion will be at the start on the Costa Blanca. The second-placed rider in the standings, Thibau Nys (190 points), will also race in Benidorm.
After the race in Benidorm, two more World Cup rounds remain in Maasmechelen (January 24) and Hoogerheide (January 25). These races are scheduled exactly one week before the World Championships in Hulst.
| Rank | Rider | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (3) |  Mathieu van der Poel | 200 |
| 2 |  Thibau Nys | 190 | |
| 3 | Michael Vanthourenhout | 187 | |
| 4 | (3) | Laurens Sweeck | 186 |
| 5 | Niels Vandeputte | 176 | |
| 6 | Emiel Verstrynge | 165 | |
| 7 | Toon Aerts | 141 | |
| 8 | (2) | Tibor Del Grosso | 139 |
| 9 | (1) | Mees Hendrikx | 131 |
| 10 | (2) | Joris Nieuwenhuis | 122 |
