Benjamín Noval shrugs off being dubbed 'the million-Euro Ineos guy' before 2027 WorldTour debut

Benjamín Noval has shrugged off being dubbed the 'million-Euro Ineos guy' after joining Netcompany-Ineos directly from the junior ranks and being considered one of the next super talents of the sport.    

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the 18-year-old discussed his upcoming move to Netcompany-Ineos, having capped off his final year at junior level by winning the road race and time trial world titles, while also becoming European champion in the race against the clock. 

"What others think doesn't affect me at all; I couldn't care less. I know what I have to do, and I'm completely at peace," Noval told Marca.

Noval indicated that while his aim is to establish himself in Netcompany's ranks in 2027, he is also determined to become a valuable teammate while learning from the more experienced riders. 

“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,” Noval said. 

“The goal for next year is to support the leaders as best I can, and, of course, to establish myself as a key rider,” he added. 

Noval’s move to the British team has been a long time coming, with the transfer announced back in June last year, given his talent and the desire among the WorldTour teams to seal his signature.

He explained that choosing Ineos over a Spanish team like Movistar offered him the opportunity to step outside of his comfort zone.

“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,” Noval explained. 

Despite the expectations surrounding the double junior world champion, Noval insists his main concern is adapting to the physical demands of elite racing, rather than dealing with the attention from the media and fans.

“What scares me most is the level of competition and how I’ll feel on the climbs after five hours in the saddle,” he said. “Pressure and criticism actually motivate me.”

After Paul Seixas’ stellar rise, most recently marked by victory at Il Lombardia, Noval was asked whether he shared the Frenchman's ambition to beat Tadej Pogačar while at his best rather than wait for the Slovenian to retire. 

“It’s certainly motivating to race against the likes of Seixas or other riders who are currently standing out,” said Noval.

“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."

When Noval completed the Worlds double in Montréal, he became the first rider to do so in the junior men’s category since Remco Evenepoel in 2018.

Asked who he feels he is more similar to out of Evenepoel and Pogačar, Noval said: “I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m truly like any of them; I try to be a different kind of rider.”

“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.”