Eighteen-year-old Spanish cyclist Benjamín Noval prepares to transition to the professional ranks with the British team Ineos following a junior season in which he secured three gold medals across world and European championships, elmundo.es reported. Competing in both the time trial and road race disciplines, Noval captured his rainbow jersey and gold medals won in Montreal and Ljubljana. On the bank of the Nalón River, the 18-year-old junior displays his rainbow jersey and the three gold medals secured in the Montreal World Championship and the Ljubljana European Championship in both time trial and road disciplines. That winning mindset was not common in Spanish cycling, and it seems that Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel have taught riders how to win permanently.
Life in Puente d’Arcu and Family Cycling Roots
Noval resides in Puente d’Arcu, a small village of 57 residents situated along the Nalón River near Pola de Laviana in Asturias, Spain. His father, a former cyclist who raced for 14 seasons alongside Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong, now serves as his trainer, public relations representative, and preparer. The household features roughly ten bicycles, including the machines Noval rode to victory in the European road event and the World Championship road race. His mother, Sara, manages household support, while his sister, Lua, competes in the cadete category with Mirat Cycling in Salamanca.
"A rider who can develop into something very special." 💫Highly promising junior Benjamín Noval will ride for the INEOS Grenadiers from 2027 🤝https://t.co/2yxnu51XEF pic.twitter.com/8ckx3y5tWp
Balancing Elite Training with Online High School Studies
Outside of training sessions and regional honors—which included performing the ceremonial opening kickoff at the Carlos Tartiere stadium—Noval studies 2nd Bachillerato online through an educational center in Pola de Laviana. Juggling rigorous athletic demands with academic work remains challenging for the young athlete, who has expressed future interest in pursuing sports nutrition and athletic preparation after his racing career. Local cycling enthusiasts and municipal organizers in the Asturian mining basin recently honored his campaign during a ceremony organized by the local town council.
Professional Ambitions and Mentorship from Cycling Legends
Looking toward his upcoming debut with Ineos, Noval acknowledges the expectations surrounding his arrival in the professional peloton. Former professional riders including Pedro Delgado, Alberto Contador, and Samuel Sánchez have publicly urged observers to afford the young rider time to develop without heavy comparative pressure. Noval maintains that his immediate focus centers on adapting to the professional category rather than targeting specific Grand Tour victories immediately, though he regards the World Championship as the pinnacle achievement in the sport.
