The race on the fast course on the Costa Blanca started quietly at first, until movement came into the leading group in the second half of the race and five riders, among them Sweeck, started the remaining three laps.
The Belgian took the lead on the uphill straight in the penultimate lap, but gave it up to Wout van Aert at the beginning of the last lap. While Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert were fighting for the win at the front, Laurens let go a bit and brought home a safe fourth place.
After a great season with two wins in Maasmechelen and Beekse Bergen as well as regular top-5 finishes, Laurens was able to secure his first overall World Cup with his fourth place in Spain and before the last round in Besancon, France, next weekend. With a 56-point lead over his fellow countryman Michael Vanthourenhout, who did not start in Spain, Laurens holds an unassailable lead on his STEVENS Super Prestige and can now fully concentrate on the upcoming Cyclocross World Championships. They will be held on 4 and 5 February in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands.
