Spanish cyclist Benjamin Noval has won the junior men's individual time trial gold medal at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada.
The 17-year-old rider from Pola de Laviana in Asturias spoke on the Spanish national sports radio show El Partidazo de COPE with presenter Juanma Castano after securing his international victory, as he prepares to compete in the upcoming world championship road race.
Noval, who stands 1.77 metres tall, detailed the tactical execution that delivered his gold medal performance on the Canadian course. He explained that his team knew from the outset that establishing a high speed early was essential, before pushing to maximum effort through the final section all the way to the finish line.
Throughout the competition in Canada, Noval was supported on site by his father, former professional cyclist Benjamin Noval, who cheered him on directly from the event venue.
The individual time trial, often referred to as the race against the clock, requires riders to navigate a set course individually at fixed intervals without the advantage of drafting behind teammates or opponents. Noval mastered the discipline to claim Spain's latest junior world title.
Turning professional and balancing studies
Noval will celebrate his 18th birthday in October and is set to make his transition to professional cycling next season. Despite his rapid rise in the sport, the young athlete remains committed to balancing his training with academic studies.
Explaining his daily routine, Noval noted that it is important to study step by step and build qualifications for the future, observing that no athlete can ever predict what might happen over the course of a career.
The upcoming step into professional racing will see Noval enter the same peloton as the sport's biggest names. Asked about the prospect of competing against world class stars such as Slovenian champion Tadej Pogacar, Noval admitted feeling curious about the challenge, remarking that Pogacar operates in a league of his own.
Pogacar has established himself as one of modern cycling's dominant figures, winning multiple Tour de France titles and major single-day classics. For young riders entering the professional ranks, facing such established champions represents a major step up in competition.
Noval also addressed comparisons to his father, showing humility when asked about their respective achievements. He stated that his father had accomplished far more in his career so far, acknowledging that he still has a long way to go to build a similar legacy.
The elder Benjamin Noval enjoyed a distinguished career in professional cycling, serving for many years as a trusted domestique and support rider for major Grand Tour winners across top European teams. Today, father and son regularly ride together on gentle training sessions in their native Asturias while the younger Noval builds up his mileage on the bike.
Their home town of Pola de Laviana is situated in the mountainous region of Asturias in northern Spain. The area is renowned throughout European cycling for its demanding terrain and rich tradition of producing elite professional riders.
Road race ambitions and looking past Rwanda
With the time trial title secured, Noval is turning his focus to the upcoming World Championship road race in Montreal. Riding as a key member of the Spanish national team, he expressed strong confidence in his physical condition and declared that he considers himself one of the top favourites for a medal.
Noval also put behind him the disappointment of a bitter setback suffered during the previous World Championships in Rwanda. Dismissing any lingering frustration from that race, he stated that athletes must look toward the future and that the past belongs in the past.
The annual UCI Road World Championships are organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the global governing body for cycling. Winners in each category are awarded the prestigious rainbow jersey, featuring five distinct coloured bands, which they wear in competition for the next 12 months.
Montreal has a long history with international cycling, having previously hosted the Road World Championships in 1974 as well as annual WorldTour events. The city's challenging roads provide a stern test for both time trial specialists and road race contenders.
Concluding his interview on El Partidazo de COPE, Spain's popular late-night sports show, Noval also confirmed his support for football club Real Oviedo ahead of the upcoming Asturian derby against regional rivals Sporting de Gijon.
The Asturian derby is one of Spain's most passionate regional football rivalries, dividing sports fans across the province. Noval wrapped up his interview fully focused on the immediate athletic goals that will shape the next stage of his promising career.
