Benjamín Noval Suárez has crowned a remarkable ascent by securing both the junior road race and time trial world titles at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada, matching elite historical milestones and cementing his status as one of international cycling’s most closely watched young talents.
A Historic Double in Montreal
At just 17 years old, the Spanish rider captured the junior road race gold medal on Thursday in solo fashion, following up on his victory in the individual time trial earlier in the week. His performance in Montreal makes him the first Spanish junior to win the world road title since Miguel Morrás achieved the feat in 1994, and places him in rare company by matching the junior double-crown feat previously accomplished by Remco Evenepoel in 2018.
Reflecting on his road race triumph, Noval noted the tactical execution that allowed him to break away. “Fui con tranquilidad, no me puse nervioso. Salimos con las cosas claras tanto yo como el equipo. Sabía que sería una carrera muy dura con 130 kilómetros y el circuito con la subida final se pegaba. Cuando llegué delante y vi que era el momento, decidí atacar y darlo todo hasta meta”, explained the Spanish champion in comments provided by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).
This success served as a measure of redemption for the young Asturian. At the previous year’s World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, a crash just three kilometers from the finish line dashed his hopes of claiming the rainbow jersey.
Genetics, Guidance, and the MMR Academy
Noval’s pedigree runs deep. He is the son of Benjamín Noval González, who enjoyed a 14-year professional career competing for squads such as Saxo Bank, Astana, and US Postal, where he served as a trusted gregario for Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. While the elder Noval never appeared in the controversies surrounding his US Postal teammates, his wealth of professional experience now feeds directly into his son’s development.
Operating as both father and mentor within the MMR Academy—the youth setup directed by Samuel Sánchez—Noval senior has helped guide his son through a dominant junior campaign that included titles in national road, time trial, cyclo-cross, and mountain bike disciplines, alongside an overall victory at the Tour de Valromey in June.
“Lo mejor de tener a mi padre a mi lado es que me puede corregir las cosas que hago mal”, said the younger Noval, acknowledging the hands-on instruction that complements his natural ability. For his part, the father admits to watching with a mixture of pride and caution. “Sí, la verdad que te da vértigo. A mí me da vértigo lo rápido que va el ciclismo”, confessed Noval senior regarding the intense media scrutiny surrounding his son.
A Direct Leap to the World Tour
Noval’s rapid development has already caught the attention of top-tier professional outfits. Scott Drawer, director de Rendimiento del equipo Ineos, praised the rider’s capabilities, stating, “Tiene instinto natural para competir, inteligencia táctica. También es bueno en la escalada y muestra una madurez impropia para su edad.” Drawer’s organization secured Noval’s signature, and the rider is slated to bypass the under-23 ranks entirely, jumping straight from the junior category to the World Tour in 2027.
Mikel Zabala, the Spanish under-23 national coach, echoed those assessments in remarks published by L’Equipe, noting that “Benjamín tiene técnica y potencia… Sabe leer muy bien las carreras.” Zabala also highlighted the structural advantage of the rider’s cycling background: “El aspecto mental aún está por definir, pero en ese sentido también parece muy prometedor, ya que proviene de una familia de ciclistas; sabe a lo que se enfrenta.”
A New Wave of Cycling Dynasties
Noval is part of a broader generational wave in Spanish cycling defined by elite lineage and early physical maturity. Several sons of former professionals are now entering international competition, including Mikel Beloki—son of Joseba Beloki—who races for EF Education-EasyPost, and Igor Arrieta, son of former Movistar rider and coach José Luis Arrieta, who competes for UAE Team Emirates alongside Tadej Pogačar.
With his junior world championship commitments in Canada now complete, Noval turns his attention toward his upcoming transition into the highest levels of professional road racing, carrying the expectations of a nation eager for its next generation of stage-racing and classics contenders.
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