“I see him winning a medal” – Alejandro Valverde tips Juan Ayuso as Spain’s leader for 2026 World Championships in Montreal

The 2026 season has not even started yet, but excitement among cycling fans is already building fast. Recent weeks have delivered a flurry of high-profile transfer moves, long-awaited debuts and major races that look set to shape the next cycle of the sport.

One event already commanding attention is the 2026 Road World Championships in Montreal, an edition expected to suit the world’s very best and most explosive climbers.

The Canadian course will be almost identical to the layout used each year at the GP Montreal, a WorldTour race where Tadej Pogacar has consistently excelled. The Slovenian is expected to return to the Worlds aiming for a third consecutive rainbow jersey, an achievement that would mark another historic milestone even by his standards at UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

Facing Slovenia’s formidable depth will be a major challenge, but despite the race still being some way off, Alejandro Valverde already has a clear idea of Spain’s approach and leadership.

Speaking to EFE, Valverde assessed his first season as Spain’s national coach and looked back on the team’s performance at the World Championships in Kigali.

Spain’s showing was solid rather than spectacular, with Juan Ayuso remaining in the medal fight until the decisive phase of the race and emerging as the only rider able to follow Pogacar’s attack on Mont Kigali.

“With the rivals we had, we were targeting a top ten at the World Championships and we achieved that with Juan Ayuso, who was on the front foot at all times. Juan fought close to the medals at one point. The overall assessment is good, but of course it can be improved,” Valverde says in quotes collected by Eurosport.

Spain’s selection was not without its complications. Injuries to Carlos Rodriguez and Enric Mas, although the latter had withdrawn from Worlds earlier for personal reasons, limited Valverde’s options and left little room for tactical flexibility.

“I was counting on Carlos Rodriguez for the World Championships, but he has had a very difficult year with crashes and injuries. He has a very high level, but he needs bad luck to stop following him. I will continue to count on him,” Valverde added, indicating that the rider from Almunecar should be part of Spain’s plans for Canada.

Looking ahead to Montreal 2026, Valverde believes Spain has clear room for progression and has already identified his focal point.

“In the elite category, Juan Ayuso has shown both at the World Championships and the European Championships that he can fight for medals. We have to back him. The 2026 World Championships could suit him well,” Valverde explained.

The Spanish coach also highlighted the depth emerging behind Ayuso, pointing to a strong pipeline of talent coming through the junior and under 23 ranks.

“A very good generation is coming through,” Valverde said, naming Hector Alvarez and Benjamin Noval as riders pushing hard in the younger categories.

With Montreal’s demanding parcours already known and leadership now clearly outlined, Spain’s roadmap to the 2026 World Championships is beginning to take shape well ahead of time.