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Follow us on GoogleBenjamín Noval, who has just turned 18, is the junior road race and time trial World Champion, junior European time trial Champion, and Netcompany INEOS's next big hope. But the Spaniard, who will make his WorldTour debut for the British team in 2027, is looking forward to the challenge.
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'Once in a generation talent' is up for a challenge
Noval has been dubbed 'the new Seixas' and a 'once in a generation talent', but speaking to Marca, the teenager didn't seem ruffled by the pressure.
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"Pressure and criticism actually motivate me," he said, adding "What scares me most is the level of competition and how I’ll feel on the climbs after five hours in the saddle."
Spaniard is 'out of his comfort zone' at British team
Netcompany INEOS signed a contract with Noval in 2025, when he was just 16. It raised some eyebrows, as many thought the youngster would end up at a Spanish team, like Movistar.
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Noval has impressed from a young age
However, Noval said, "Of course, Movistar is an attractive option because it’s a Spanish team, but I think it’s also good to break the mould a bit, go abroad, and experience new things.
Head-hunting the greats: 'I'd love to beat Pogačar'
Noval has often been compared to Paul Seixas, who after his historic win at Lombardy, has not shied away from the fact he is keen to beat Tadej Pogačar.
When questioned if her harboured the same ambitions, Noval was honest about the challenge.
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"It’s certainly motivating to race against the likes of Seixas or other riders who are currently standing out,” he said.
"Of course, I’d love to beat Pogačar, but that’s going to be quite difficult. Perhaps when his form dips, maybe then, but right now, I’d say it’s pretty much impossible."
Noval wants to be his own man
He was also keen to set himself apart from the other riders in the bunch.
He didn't liken himself to either Pogačar, or Remco Evenepoel, saying instead, "I don’t think I’m truly like any of them; I try to be a different kind of rider.'
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Benjamin Noval at the World Time Trial Championships.
“Because I’ve now won two World Championship titles, people tend to compare me more to Remco. On the other hand, if I happen to attack from a long way out, then I get compared more to Pogačar."
“But both of them are incredibly good, and they actually race in a very similar way, because, at the end of the day, when you’re that talented, you try to do everything well.”
So what are Noval's goals for the year ahead?
Noval wants to become available valued member of the team at Netcompany INEOS, and take the opportunity to learn from those more experienced riders around him.
"I do want to help the team as much as I can and play a significant role, not necessarily by winning, but by supporting my teammates or leading the group."
“The goal for next year is to support the leaders as best I can, and, of course, to establish myself as a key rider,” the Spanish teenager said.
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Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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