"I’m happy to race in hot conditions": Movistar's youngest rider looks forward to debut in Australia
Cycling
The 2026 Tour Down Under will open the new road season in less than two weeks. At the Australian WorldTour stage race, Movistar Team are aiming high. Last year they took 2nd overall thanks to Javier Romo, who also claimed a stage win.
For the imminent Tour Down Under, Romo will return as leader, and he will be supported by one of the team’s new signings for 2026 under Eusebio Unzué: Pavel Novak.
The young Czech will dive head first in his debut race as a WorldTour rider, directly competing in the highest category race. However, as he explained in comments shared by Movistar Team via X, Novak is unfazed by his first major test.
"Starting the season in Australia is very important for me because it will be my first race with Movistar Team as a pro. It’s a great opportunity to gain experience," Pavel Novak said, highlighting the value of beginning early with a WorldTour challenge alongside the telecom squad.
One of the keys to racing the Tour Down Under in January is the Australian heat. It’s summer there, and some riders can struggle after training through the European winter. Rather than worry, Novak sees it as motivation:
"The weather here in Australia is different from Europe, so I expect it to be very hot. But that’s not a problem for me. I’ve prepared well over the winter. I’m happy to race in hot conditions," he added about tackling the start of the campaign on a continent where January temperatures are completely different.
Own goals or team duties?
Finally, Pavel Novak outlined his expectations for the 2026 Tour Down Under. Will he chase his own chances, or focus on supporting Javier Romo?
"The goals at the Tour Down Under are to help the team as much as possible, keep learning as a professional and, if I have the chance to get a good result, that would be fantastic. But the priority is to help my teammates," concluded Movistar Team’s youngest recruit.
Movistar Team enters 2026 with a refreshed roster and ambitions
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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