Nys rushes to win in Benidorm

With a fantastic acceleration, European champion Nys won the race in Benidorm. In the finale, he left the rest of the pack behind. He made it ahead of Iserbyt and Van der Haar.

The third edition in Benidorm was a true flying meeting. Under a jet-blue sky and a glorious winter sun, the men's race, like the women's, remained locked for a long time. The pace was particularly high despite the lack of separations.

Who rode even faster in the background was Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a bike). Last season's winner had to start from row four and thus had some places to make up. After just over 15 minutes of racing, he was able to join the front of the race.

At the front, it was Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen - Cibel Clementines) who set the pace, along with teammate and leader Vanthourenhout and local rider Orts (Ridley Racing Team) constantly in the top three. On the fourth lap, Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions) took command with a hefty acceleration. The European champion did not break away. World Cup leader Vanthourenhout also tried.

Until lap six. Just over two laps from the end, Van der Haar (Baloise Glowi Lions) accelerated, catching Iserbyt in his wake. The two of them went into the penultimate lap with a six-second lead on the chasers.

In that chase, Wout van Aert really got his nose to the window for the first time in the race. The Belgian took the lead and on the striking asphalt strip rushed towards the leading duo in one go. Van Aert, with Nys in his wheel, went up and over Van der Haar and Iserbyt. With one acceleration, we got another leading group of six riders.

In the final lap Iserbyt drove up the pace meter after meter. Again on the sloping asphalt strip, a this time decisive attack followed. While Van Aert tried to close the gap with the leaders, Nys went up and over Iserbyt at the front. He left everyone behind and held his lead. The win was in. Nys made it ahead of Iserbyt and Van der Haar.