Spain's World Championships line-up - Co-leaders announced as teams hope Pogacar's absence can open up race
CyclingMonday, 07 September 2026 at 15:00
Spain has confirmed its line-ups for the Montreal World Championships, to be held in Canada from September 20th to 27th. Alejandro Valverde and Gema Pascual announced on Monday the squads for the elite men’s and women’s races, with Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas as the main cards for the men, while Mavi García and Paula Blasi will lead the women’s team.
The Worlds arrive at a key moment for Spanish cycling. In the men’s category, Juan Ayuso will be the national team’s reference, joined by Enric Mas, who is enjoying a strong Vuelta a España and heads to Montreal as one of Spain’s best hopes to contest the front positions.
Alejandro Valverde has selected an eight-man unit for the road race, with Ayuso and Mas as leaders. They will be supported by Carlos Verona, Iván Romeo, Raúl García Pierna, Marcel Camprubí, Igor Arrieta, and Markel Beloki.
The men’s route will be one of the championship’s major challenges. The race covers 273.4 kilometres with 3,803 metres of elevation gain, with the decisive action concentrated in 12 laps of the Mont-Royal circuit in Montreal. The finish will be in Parc Jeanne-Mance.
Spain men’s selection
Ayuso and Mas will therefore carry much of Spain’s ambition in the road race. Iván Romeo will double up, competing in both the road race and the time trial.
The race against the clock will take place on September 20th over a 39.2-kilometre course with 220 metres of elevation, starting on Avenue du Parc and finishing in Parc Jeanne-Mance.
| Road race | Individual time trial |
| Juan Ayuso | Iván Romeo |
| Enric Mas | Pablo Castrillo |
| Carlos Verona | |
| Iván Romeo | |
| Raúl García Pierna | |
| Marcel Camprubí | |
| Igor Arrieta | |
| Markel Beloki |
Mavi García targets another Worlds after her podium
In the women’s selection, Mavi García is once again Spain’s leader. The Balearic rider arrives in Montreal backed by the bronze medal she earned at the 2025 Rwanda Worlds, where she reached the podium in the elite women’s race.
Gema Pascual has built a supporting unit around her with Paula Blasi, Mireia Benito, Sara Martín, Usoa Ostolaza, and Sandra Alonso.
Paula Blasi will be Spain’s other key reference. The young rider took bronze in the under-23 category at the 2025 Worlds and will now have her first chance to compete among the top names in a World Championships featuring a very demanding route.
The women’s road race will be held on September 26th over 180.1 kilometres with 2,570 metres of elevation gain. After the opening section from Brossard to Montreal, the riders will tackle eight laps of the Mont-Royal circuit, a route designed to force a very selective race.
Mireia Benito and Paula Blasi will represent Spain in the time trial, also over the Worlds’ 39.2 kilometres and 220 metres of elevation.
Mavi García, one of the Spaniards set to animate the race
Spain women’s selection
| Road race | Individual time trial |
| Mavi García | Paula Blasi |
| Paula Blasi | Mireia Benito |
| Mireia Benito | |
| Sara Martín | |
| Usoa Ostolaza | |
| Sandra Alonso |
Spain heads into the Worlds with two clearly defined leaders in each category. In the men’s race, Ayuso and Mas must capitalise on a route that, by distance and elevation, suits riders who can absorb cumulative fatigue.
In the women’s race, Mavi García will try to repeat or even improve on last year’s bronze, on a Mont-Royal circuit that again should favour the strongest rouleurs. The presence of Paula Blasi also gives the squad led by Gema Pascual a compelling second option.
The Montreal Worlds will start on September 20th with the time trials and conclude on September 27th with the men’s road race.
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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- Mas has never shown he is good in a TT. Roglic does have past form in that discipline. Mas is hot just now and could surprise us. Is Roglic likely to make up the 2 minutes + he is behind? A minute at best perhaps? This TT is going to be intersting.Cyclingsbestfan07-09-2026
- You are overreacting to a light hearted comment on fines collection. Did none of you guys not get that before jumping on your soap boxes? Lighten up!1stpastthepost07-09-2026
- The team that signs your paycheck is always the #1 priority.
Front24207-09-2026 - Remco will miss him for sure.
DareDevil07-09-2026 - If security and health were a problem, then yesterday should have been canceled altogether. It was 36° in Villaviciosa yesterday but 41° in Córdoba city where the race finished. As I stated where most of the race took place was on long narrow country roads with deep ditches and slopes on either side. No where to park a car or stand safely and watch. As for living somewhere else?To have cycling on my doorstep? Thank you. I also have a chalet in Alpe d'Huez, which I use in the winter mainly for skiing. But was extremely fortunate to watch Tadej Pogaćar's record breaking ascent on July 24th.RolandDekker07-09-2026
- Correction: 63000 swiss = $77,891 or 67.035 euros.PogiSloFans07-09-2026
- Janja Garnbret a year ago about Pogačar: "Tadej is considered the best cyclist in the world because of his rare combination of unmatched physical endurance, explosive power, and an all-around racing style that lets him win almost any type of event. He also has exceptional tactical intelligence and racecraft. A few months ago he said to me: In my view, cycling intelligence is simple... keep control, play smart, avoid overthinking, and ensure you have the best legs on the day."PogiSloFans07-09-2026
- Seixas, instead of doing the tdf and riding round, should've done this and he'd have won it
leedorney07-09-2026 - Haven’t seen many crowds lately and sorry but temperatures are certainly above average with 45.7 yesterday. Every degree starts to count above 36, 37 and each is a lot worse than the previous one. Security and health should definitely trump fans, especially for a free event. Should consider moving to a different part of the world if you live for cycling coming to your doorstep.Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
- Didn’t want but did and the opposite in the Vuelta, someone might have to start reviewing strategies.Jumpyjohn06-09-2026
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