"I’ve been chasing this for a long time" - Lidl-Trek have a major talent on their hands after he claims U23 European Championships gold at 19
Cycling
Héctor Álvarez finally has the gold he’s long been chasing. The Spanish rider was crowned European under-23 champion on Saturday, after winning a fast, demanding race where his attacking instinct proved decisive in securing a victory he had pursued for two years.
The triumph marks a step forward for a rider who had already shown his potential in previous editions. Álvarez was third last year and second once before, but the win had eluded him for two seasons. This time, though, he found the moment and the legs to finish the job and pull on the continental jersey.
The race was defined by a high pace from the opening kilometres, especially across the long flat section. The bunch faced a full‑gas day where positioning and the ability to respond to moves were crucial. Álvarez read the race well and stayed on the front foot to land the result he wanted.
There was also significant teamwork behind the gold. The Spanish squad protected their leader on a day when the plan was to trust his qualities and let him race with freedom. Álvarez repaid that faith with an aggressive display that carried him to the under-23 European title.
Héctor Álvarez makes his case
🥺 Héctor Álvarez, al borde de las lágrimas tras ganar el Europeo:
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) October 2, 2026
🗣️ "Llevaba dos años detrás de esto"#EuroRoad26 #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/BvOJEDbW0H
“I think I’ve been chasing this for a long time. It’s been two years without a win. I feel everyone believed in me, and today I think I was able to give something back with this victory,” the new champion told Eurosport, satisfied after ending his wait.
Álvarez also underlined the toughness and, above all, the speed of the race. “We knew from the start it was going to be a crazy race and very fast on all the flat sections.
"My whole team was there for me, from Óscar, Emilio, Niaut and Javi. Everyone believed in me from the beginning, as did the team manager, Pasqui. We knew today was the day and I think I was able to deliver.”
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Spanish rider's racing style
The Spaniard highlighted his racing style and was clear about one of the keys to his success. “I don’t need to give advice to the big names, but I think you have to be brave. Today I raced the way that defines me, being aggressive, and I think it finally paid off. So you just have to be brave.”
After two years chasing a win that kept slipping away, Álvarez finally found his big reward.
The under-23 continental gold confirms his ability to compete at the highest level and turns his aggression on the road into the best argument to celebrate a title that now sits on his palmarès.
Álvarez steps up to WorldTour level immediately this winter, joining Lidl-Trek's top ranks after two years on their development team.

Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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