Benjamín Noval secured the junior European time trial championship in Slovenia, crossing the finish line in 29:46.98 to edge out Denmark’s Malthe Risbjerg by a razor-thin margin of three hundredths of a second. The victory on his 18th birthday caps a remarkable breakthrough season for the Spanish rider, who recently claimed a historic double gold at the world championships in Montreal.
How Noval Survived a Late-Race Collapse in Slovenia
The triumph in Slovenia did not come easily for the Laviana native. According to race reports, Noval built a commanding lead by the intermediate time check, outpacing every competitor on the course. However, his advantage evaporated in the closing kilometers as fatigue and a recent viral illness took a heavy toll.
“I didn’t start with too much confidence, but I did start with a pace that was perhaps a bit too high,” Noval said in his post-race remarks. “On the climb, I pushed too hard, and the final part became quite long. I suffered a lot on the last flat stretch, and in the last five kilometers, I was getting slower and slower. I wasn’t looking at watts or speed anymore, I just wanted to finish.”
That fading finish nearly cost him the gold. Denmark’s Malthe Risbjerg closed the gap rapidly, leaving the race outcome too close to call until officials consulted the official timing sheets. The judges ultimately separated the two riders by just 0.03 seconds, confirming Noval as the continental champion.
Building on a Historic Double World Championship Run
This latest continental crown follows an extraordinary performance at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, where Noval mirrored Remco Evenepoel’s storied trajectory by sweeping both the junior road race and the individual time trial gold medals.
The Spanish cycling prodigy has dominated the junior ranks throughout the season, establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the international peloton. His ability to grind out a victory in Slovenia despite physical exhaustion highlights the tenacity that has defined his breakout year.
The Next Step Toward the World Tour Elite
With his junior career drawing to a close, Noval is set to make the direct jump to the professional ranks next season. Outlets covering the transfer report that the young asturiano will join the Ineos Grenadiers WorldTour squad for the upcoming campaign.
“It was hard-fought, so now it’s time to celebrate it and let it sink in,” Noval said of his narrow European victory, holding his latest gold medal before transitioning to the professional peloton.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benjamín Noval’s Victory
What was the exact winning margin in the European time trial?
Benjamín Noval defeated runner-up Malthe Risbjerg of Denmark by exactly three hundredths of a second, stopping the clock at 29:46.98 on the Slovenian course.
How many international titles has Benjamín Noval won recently?
Noval secured a historic double gold at the world championships in Montreal—winning both the junior road race and time trial—before adding this European time trial championship on his 18th birthday.
Which professional team will Benjamín Noval join next season?
Noval is set to make the leap directly to the elite professional level next year, signing with the Ineos Grenadiers WorldTour team.
