INEOS-bound junior sensation set for World Championships before big step-up to World Tour - “I’d be more than satisfied with a win”
CyclingTuesday, 22 September 2026 at 13:30
Benjamín Noval faces one of the key dates of his season this Tuesday at the World Championships in Montréal 2026. The Asturian is one of Spain’s main cards for the junior time trial and features among the contenders for gold over 20.3 kilometres.
The Spanish rider arrives in Canada after specifically honing this discipline throughout the season. Noval acknowledges he has placed greater emphasis on time trialling and, while he avoids calling himself the outright favourite, he admits he has a real shot at the rainbow jersey.
“This year, to be honest, I worked a lot more on the time trial. I don’t think I’m the top favourite, but I do know I have chances,” explains Noval ahead of the worlds test.
The course will be one of the race’s decisive factors. The men’s junior time trial opens with a technical first half, while the second part could prove far more demanding for the riders. Noval himself highlights that shift in the key kilometres.
Noval walks through time trial course
“It’s quite technical at the start, but I think from halfway it can get pretty hard,” notes the Spaniard, who will need to balance speed, precision, and the ability to sustain the effort as the route turns more exacting.
Noval admits it is not the kind of layout he would have chosen for a Worlds against the clock. The Asturian would prefer a test where safety carries more weight and the result depends mainly on power and each rider’s physical condition.
“I’d prefer a slightly safer area where you don’t have to take so many risks, where it depends more on each rider’s strength,” he concedes.
Even so, the Spanish rider is clear there is no alternative but to adapt to the features of the Canadian circuit. “It is what it is, we have to adapt and try to do the best we can,” he adds.
Benjamín Noval racing in full flight
Benjamín Noval, future rider of Netcompany INEOS
Noval’s ambition is clear despite his caution when it comes to favourite tags. The Spaniard does not want to heap on extra pressure, but he does not hide what the dream outcome would be at the end of the day.
“Of course, winning would leave me more than satisfied, but we’ll see how it goes and what chances we have,” he concludes.
Noval thus arrives at the Worlds as one of Spanish cycling’s great hopes for the future. What’s more, his progression will take him straight to the top level, as in 2027 he will step up to INEOS without passing through the under-23 category.
The Montréal time trial is therefore another chance for one of Spain’s brightest prospects to show his level against the world’s best juniors.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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