Christmas heralds the arrival of the second half of cyclocross season. And that means, for years, that the aces of this sport have entered the scene: Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel. The great Spanish star of the modality, Philip Orts (27 years old, Villajoyosa) will face them again, but this time, at the best moment of his sports career, as he himself admits to AS after two sixth places: European and World Cup in Beekse Bergen. Before I fight to stand shoulder to shoulder with them next December 4 in Antwerp (Belgium), an appointment where the world cyclocross trio will meet again, the man from Alicante analyzes his next objectives, as well as an appointment of World Cup in Benidorm (January 22) which will mean the return of this competition in Spain.
-What are your feelings to face the following World Cup events?
-I arrive with very good feelings after the European Championship and also in Beekse Bergen I had a good race. I feel very well. The next circuit will be very hard, and also rain and cold are expected (He explains about Hulst, the Dutch World Cup event where he will be this Sunday).
-Sixth place in Beekse Bergen is his best result to date in the World Cup. What taste did it leave in your mouth?
-I ended up very happy. In the end I ended up with the same feelings as Namuur (European) and that was reflected in the result.
-And he ended up rolling in the same times as the head of the race. Except for a couple of mishaps, did she see them?
-The first part I went further back and the hook that there was in the sand is true that made me spend more strength at the beginning. But taking the start a few rows behind the leaders already conditions the race a lot.
-Is your current version the best Felipe Orts ever?
-I would say yes, I am in the best moment of my career. For results, sure, because I have improved my best positions in all stages and, above all, in the European Championship and the World Cup.
-Now that you start your season in the mud, do you see yourself battling with Pidcock, Van Aert and Van der Poel?
-You have to be realistic, there are still five riders ahead of me usually in the World Cup. I don’t think I’m up to their level, especially around Christmas time. But that is the next step, to be in the top-5.
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-With what objective do you face the remainder of the season?
-I consider it as before, with the aim of entering the top 10. That would already be a good result.
-In January you will have a very special appointment in Benidorm, near your home. What is that World Cup circuit like?
-I don’t know 100% because I haven’t shot yet and the final result may vary depending on how the different areas are conditioned. It will be a very selective circuit, with a high part that is quite uneven and hard. The first part is more classic, with a grass park. Depending on the speed at which you ride, it can be a hard or technical race.
-In the presentation of the race, you said that your goal in Benidorm is to be among the top ten. Does he keep it or does he dream of more?
-Yes, being in the top-10 would already be positive, but there are also other circuits that favor me from here to the end. In Besançon (January 29) I was 11th and I liked it a lot, I also like Hulst a lot… But there have to be a series of expensive circumstances to qualify for a great position.
-You will also be at the World Cup in February. But what about your road season?
-It will be very special, because Hoogerheide (Netherlands) was the first world championship that I ran in my life. It is a very tough circuit and in February there will be a lot of mud or even frozen areas. Conditions can vary greatly depending on the temperature. Highway? I don’t have anything planned, but I will continue a little in the line of recent years. I will race until I find a proper pedal stroke and then transition to cyclocross. I prepared the French classic Tro Bro Léon (May 7) very well.