Netcompany to give super talent Benjamín Noval 'biggest contract in history for a rider of his age' before 2027 WorldTour debut
The Spaniard is reportedly close to agreeing a more valuable contract with Netcompany-Ineos until the end of 2031, despite having yet to race for the British team. The 18-year-old's remarkable performances in the junior ranks have already prompted the team to secure his long-term future.
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According to Spanish regional broadcaster RTPA, which first reported the news, Noval has agreed to a two-year extension to his initial deal, which was set to run until 2029. The revised agreement would keep him with the British squad for five seasons, from 2027 through to 2031.
Spanish newspaper MARCA provided further details on Wednesday, reporting that the agreement is expected to be finalised this week.
According to MARCA, the financial package being finalised has been described as the "biggest contract in history for a rider of his age", underlining the extraordinary investment Netcompany-Ineos is prepared to make in the young Spaniard.
The report also states that Noval's agent, Giuseppe Acquadro, has negotiated significantly improved terms compared to the original agreement reached in the summer of 2025, which was reportedly worth close to €1 million over three years.
The developments follow a remarkable final season in the junior ranks, with Noval winning both the road race and time trial world titles in Montréal before adding the European junior time trial title earlier this month.
Those results have only strengthened his value, with Netcompany-Ineos now reportedly moving to improve his terms before he has even made his professional debut.
His double triumph at the World Championships made him the first junior male rider to win both titles in the same year since Remco Evenepoel in 2018.
Noval's move to Netcompany-Ineos was originally announced in June 2025, when he was just 16, with the British squad securing his signature well ahead of his graduation from the junior category.
'Pressure and criticism actually motivate me'
The reported contract extension comes just days after Noval spoke to MARCA about the expectations surrounding his move to the WorldTour.
Having already been dubbed the 'million-Euro Ineos guy', the 18-year-old insisted he was not troubled by the attention or comparisons with some of cycling's biggest names.
"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 said.
Noval explained that his main priority for 2027 is to adapt to racing at the highest level and establish himself within the team.
"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 said.
The Spaniard also acknowledged that the physical demands of professional racing represented a bigger concern than the pressure surrounding his reputation.
"What scares me most is the level of competition and how I'll feel on the climbs after five hours in the saddle," he admitted. "Pressure and criticism actually motivate me."
For now, Noval has taken his first steps towards life with Netcompany-Ineos, spending three days with the team in Denmark this week.
According to MARCA, the British squad intends to take a measured approach to his development, allowing him time to adapt to professional racing without placing excessive expectations on his shoulders. However, the team is also prepared to accelerate his progression should his performances warrant it.
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