Double junior world champion Noval faced proposed suspension over 2024 disciplinary case

Benjamin Noval became just the second rider to complete the junior men’s double at the World Championships, following in the footsteps of Remco Evenepoel in 2018, after winning the time trial and road race in Montréal last week.

The 17-year-old Spaniard's performances in Canada illustrate why he is set to join Netcompany-Ineos in the WorldTour peloton from 2027 onwards, after the British team confirmed the signing of Noval way back in June 2025. 

Noval is the son of former professional cyclist Benjamin Noval, who raced for US Postal Service and its successor, Discovery Channel, from 2004 to 2007. He was a teammate of Lance Armstrong before later riding alongside Alberto Contador at Astana and Saxo Bank in the final years of his career.

Noval Jr celebrated his road race victory in Montréal with Contador’s trademark “pistolero” gesture. 

Following his success in Montréal, a report emerged from El País detailing a disciplinary case involving Noval Jr that arose from a training session with José “Pepe” Martí in Navacerrada in April 2024, when the Spaniard was 15. 

According to El País, Martí had travelled to Navacerrada to measure Noval Jr’s blood lactate while the rider completed repeated one-kilometre hill efforts. 

Martí, a former coach of Contador during the Armstrong era, was serving a 15-year ban imposed in 2012 in connection with the US Postal doping case. 

Spanish Civil Guard officers from the UCO, who had been monitoring Martí, encountered the group, which consisted of Martí, Noval’s father, and Noval Jr.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are prohibited from associating with support personnel who are serving a period of ineligibility. According to El País, Spain’s anti-doping agency, CELAD, initially proposed an 18-month suspension for Noval Jr. 

He acknowledged taking part in the session and explained he had been unaware that it was prohibited and expressed regret. 

CELAD and the disciplinary tribunal subsequently considered the circumstances of the case, including the age of Noval Jr. and the investigation into Martí, and on 5 November 2025, the proceedings were declared expired after the 12-month period for processing the case had elapsed.

With the case now closed, Noval is set to move directly from the junior ranks to the WorldTour in 2027 with Netcompany-Ineos and will look to build upon his rare accomplishment in Montréal.