'Better than Contador and on par with Seixas': According to an expert, Noval is 'once in a generation talent'

Noval has long been regarded as a top prospect, but this year he really showed what he’s capable of. He won just about everything there was to win at the junior level, including both world titles and the European time trial title. And in the Vuelta a la Montaña Central de Asturias, he put out power outputs that would give many a WorldTour pro a run for their money.

The young Spaniard is already making a name for himself in mountain biking and cyclocross as well. Many top teams were lining up to sign him, but it was Netcompany INEOS that announced as early as mid-2025 that the top talent would make his WorldTour debut with the British team in 2027.

This shows a great deal of confidence in his talent, and that’s not surprising, says Christian Kaggestad. The former cyclist works as a scout for Alex Carera, the agent for Tadej Pogacar, among others.

Speaking to Eurosport, the Norwegian shared his thoughts on Noval. “That name came up often, but not in the same way as the others. It was kind of like Paul Seixas. We’re talking about a once-in-a-generation talent here: they truly fall into the category of riders who only show up in a country once every 50 years.”

Spain has a rich history in the sport. Alberto Contador was the country’s most recent superstar, and he is also Noval’s idol, as evidenced by his victory gesture at the World Championships.

Moreover, Noval’s father was a loyal climbing domestique for El Pistolero. Kaggestad thinks Noval Jr. is even better than Contador. “You could compare them, but I still think he’s superior when you look at his time-trial skills.”

Kaggestad is hugely impressed by the youngster, and not just because of his talent. “He obviously has the physical ability, but also the mental strength. Just look at the World Championship race. In the junior category, it’s often over as soon as the breakaway attacks. When I saw it on TV, I thought he’d get stressed out and make a few mistakes, like we’ve seen with the pros. But it was like a video game for him. He knew exactly when to attack.”

Paul Seixas broke through this year as one of the best cyclists in the world, even though he only turned 20 two weeks ago. The young Frenchman is being touted as Pogacar’s successor, but where does Noval stand? Kaggestad doesn’t think he’s any less talented than Seixas. “They’re at the same level. Lorenzo Finn is slightly below them; Noval and Seixas are in the same category.”

And so, Noval’s professional debut is set to be one of the biggest stories of 2027. The entire cycling world is eager to see what he can do as the second-youngest WorldTour pro ever [AJ August was 5 days younger]. His contract is only for two years: it turns out to have been a shrewd move. “His agent is smart. He knows that in two years, Noval will be worth a lot more.”