Benjamín Noval wins junior road race and time trial in Montreal

Race Development and Decisive Attacks

Spain controlled the early phases of the race with active riding from teammates Luca Martínez and Raúl López, who joined various early breakaways. According to race reports from Ciclismo al Día, Noval made his initial move with approximately 65 kilometers remaining on the main climb of the circuit, shattering the peloton and reducing the main group to roughly 30 riders. After receiving support from teammate Aitor Martínez, Noval launched a definitive offensive with roughly 26 kilometers left on the course. The Asturian quickly distanced his rivals, executing a long solo breakaway to cross the finish line alone and secure the rainbow jersey. French rider Simon Defrance claimed the silver medal after pursuing the Spaniard, while Swedish competitor Elias Wändel took the bronze sprint.

Redemption from Kigali and Spanish Placements

The triumph serves as athletic redemption for Noval following the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, where a crash in the closing stretch derailed his medal chances in his first year as a junior. Alongside Noval’s gold, the Spanish team placed Raúl López in 27th position, 2 minutes and 49 seconds back, and Aitor Martínez in 42nd place at 6 minutes and 20 seconds. Luca Martínez did not finish the race after heavy early work for the squad. In the under-23 women’s road race held earlier on the same Montreal circuit, Paula Ostiz finished as the top Spanish rider in 16th place. Ostiz, the 2025 junior world champion now competing in the under-23 ranks, animated the front of the race before fatigue set in during the final laps. Slovakia’s Viktória Chladoňová won the under-23 women’s world title ahead of Canadian Isabella Holmgren and Belgian Fleur Moors.