Benjamín Noval makes history and is crowned Junior Time Trial World Champion

Benjamín Noval has just been crowned world champion. The 17-year-old Asturian won the junior time trial rainbow jersey in Montreal after completing the 20.2 kilometers in 25:17 and surpassing Belgian Vic De Smet by six seconds. Danish Malthe Risbjerg, 16 seconds behind, completed the podium.

This victory also has a historical dimension for Spanish cycling. Noval becomes the first Spaniard to win the World Championship in the junior time trial category, a race whose list of winners includes names like Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock, Michal Kwiatkowski, Marcel Kittel, and Fabian Cancellara.

Noval flies in the second half of the time trial and is crowned World Champion

The gold did not come with a crushing start. Noval passed the first intermediate point with the third-best time, three seconds behind Gijs Winters. The race changed from there.

The Spaniard increased the pace, and by the second segment, he had completely turned the situation around. He took the lead in the race with a 15-second advantage over Julius Løvstrup Birkedal, who had set an important benchmark with his 25:38 at the finish.

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Noval even extended that difference before stopping the clock at 25:17. He had improved Birkedal's time by 21 seconds and left a benchmark that forced the last favorites to take risks.

Malthe Risbjerg finished 16 seconds behind, and Patrik Pezzo Rosola, 21 seconds behind. Enzo Hincapie also couldn't get close enough. Only one rider remained with a real chance to snatch the title.

Vic De Smet fought for gold until the end

Vic De Smet was precisely the one who came closest. The Belgian had even started faster than Noval and clocked two seconds less than the Spaniard at the first intermediate point.

But he also succumbed to the Asturian's change of pace in the middle section. By the second control, he was already losing around ten seconds and had to tackle the final stretch aggressively.

De Smet managed to cut part of the difference, but not all of it. He crossed the finish line six seconds behind Noval, definitively confirming the Spanish gold. Risbjerg finished third, 16 seconds behind.

Noval arrived in Montreal as one of the top contenders and this time turned that status into a rainbow jersey. A year after the fall that compromised his chances at the World Championship in Kigali on the road, the Asturian leaves the Canadian time trial with the highest title possible in the category.

A multidisciplinary champion who already has a destination in the WorldTour

The gold in Montreal adds another piece to a season that clearly explains why Benjamín Noval is one of the young Spaniards generating the most excitement. His performance is not limited to different road disciplines; the Asturian is also the current junior champion of Spain in XCO.

At just 17 years old, his immediate future is already decided. INEOS has bet on Noval for the next season, in which he will make the leap from the junior category to the British team. A huge change that will come after a 2026 in which his name has firmly established itself among the great talents of his generation.

Before changing categories and starting that new stage, he still has an important appointment in Montreal. This week he will compete in the junior road World Championship, a race in which he is again among the favorites. After conquering the rainbow in the time trial, Noval will have the opportunity to close his World Championship by fighting for a second great result in Canada.

Top 10 Junior World Time Trial 2026

1. Benjamín Noval (Spain) – 25:17
2. Vic De Smet (Belgium) – at 6"
3. Malthe Risbjerg (Denmark) – at 16"
4. Julius Løvstrup Birkedal (Denmark) – at 21"
5. Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Italy) – at 21"
6. Antoine Salamin (Switzerland) – at 38"
7. Sindre Orholm-Lønseth (Norway) – at 42"
8. Lancelot Gayant – at 47"
9. Leon Atkins – at 49"
10. Mads Furenes (Norway) – at 53"