On a crisp Tuesday morning in Montreal, 17-year-old Benjamin Noval of Pola de Laviana crossed the finish line first in the junior men’s time trial, marking the start of a strong showing for Spain at the UCI World Championships.
Noval repeats success in road race
Four days later, Noval claimed a second gold on the demanding Mont Royal circuit, becoming the first junior since Remco Evenepoel to win both the time trial and the road race at a world event. His victories followed Enric Mas’s recent Vuelta a España win, which many observers said sparked a wave of confidence among Spain’s young riders.
Spain’s women also shone. Alejandra Neira, born in June 2008 in Santiago de Compostela, took gold in the junior road race on Friday, adding to the nation’s medal tally. In the under‑23 category, Paula Ostiz of Navarre earned bronze in the time trial and silver in the road race, while Hector Álvarez, a 19‑year‑old from Alfacar, captured a podium finish in the same events.
Impact and outlook
The results underscore the depth of Spain’s development programs and suggest a pipeline of talent for future elite competitions. National coaches said the performances will bolster support for junior squads ahead of next season’s European championships and the 2028 Olympic cycle.