Vuelta stage winners Ayuso and Soler head Spanish charge at Rwanda Worlds

The Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) has officially announced its squads for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, taking place from September 21-28.

Stage winners at the recent Vuelta a España, Juan Ayuso and Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), headline the elite men's squad for the road race, which Spanish outlet Marca describes as “a mix of experience and future’

Ayuso made his debut in the elite race twelve months ago, where he finished 26th. Based on the form that saw the 22-year-old win two stages at the Vuelta a España, Ayuso is a genuine podium candidate on the demanding course in Kigali, and one of the riders who will be hoping to capitalise on any potential off-day for resounding favourite Tadej Pogačar.

Soler has never finished higher than 82nd in four previous appearances, but based on his Vuelta shape that saw the 31-year-old win solo atop La Farrapona, there’s a strong chance he’ll improve on that significantly, particularly with his combative style.

For the first time in history, no Spanish rider finished in the top 10 of the Vuelta a España in 2025, but Abel Balderstone (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) still had a breakthrough performance to land 13th overall, and now the 25-year-old is set to make his debut in the Elite Worlds. 

Spanish champion Iván Romeo is also part of the squad, and the powerhouse will also line up for the time trial alongside Raúl García Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). 

García Pierna, Carlos Canal (Movistar), Roger Adrìa (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and Carlos Verona (Lidl-Trek) round out a solid Spanish squad for the elite men's road race.

Spain has had four different winners of the elite men's road race, with Abraham Olano (1995), Óscar Freire (1999, 2001, 2004), Igor Astarloa (2003), and most recently Alejandro Valverde (2018). 

Tour de France Femmes stage winner Mavi García (Liv-Jayco-Alula) will lead the Spanish women’s team. Her previous best was tenth at the Glasgow Worlds two years ago.

Men's Road Race (September 28): Roger Adrìa, Juan Ayuso, Abel Balderstone, Carlos Canal, Raúl García Pierna, Iván Romeo, Marc Soler, Carlos Verona

Men's Time Trial (September 21): Raúl García Pierna,Iván Romeo

Women's Road Race (September 27): Mavi García (Liv-Jayco-Alual), Mireia Benito (AG Insurance - Soudal Team), Sara Martín (Movistar Team), Ane Santesteban (Laboral Kutxa), Usoa Ostolaza (Laboral Kutxa) and Alicia González (St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93).

Women's Time trial (September 21): Mireia Benito