The 2026 UCI Road World Championships continued in Montreal, Canada, on September 22. In the men's events held that day, Spanish rider Benjamín Noval delivered an outstanding performance in the Junior Men's Individual Time Trial, securing the world title for Spain. Belgian rider Vic De Smet took the silver medal, while Denmark's Malthe Risbjerg claimed the bronze.
It should be noted that no Elite Men's Individual Time Trial or Elite Men's Road Race was held on September 22. The Elite Men's Individual Time Trial was completed on September 20, while the Elite Men's Road Race is scheduled for September 27. Therefore, the main men's event on September 22 was the Junior Men's Individual Time Trial.
Junior Men's Individual Time Trial: Noval Takes a Strong Victory
The Junior Men's Individual Time Trial was held in Montreal over a course of approximately 20.3 kilometers. The route featured technically demanding corners, a relatively flat middle section, and a challenging climb toward the finish, testing the riders' pacing, time-trial ability, and finishing power.
Seventeen-year-old Spanish rider Benjamín Noval emerged as the standout performer of the day. He did not adopt an overly aggressive pace during the opening section and was only three seconds behind the fastest rider at the first time check. However, after entering the flatter middle section, Noval gradually increased his speed and maintained a strong and consistent effort through the final phase.
As the race entered the final climb, Noval demonstrated his finishing strength. He accelerated strongly on the final uphill section and eventually completed the course in 25 minutes and 23 seconds, averaging approximately 48.2 km/h, securing the Junior Men's Individual Time Trial world title.
For Noval, the victory further demonstrated his competitiveness among the world's leading junior riders. Facing the combined challenges of the technical sections and the final climb in Montreal, he avoided excessive energy expenditure early in the race and managed his effort effectively, gradually building his advantage during the middle and final sections.
De Smet Takes Silver After Staying Close to the Winner
Belgian rider Vic De Smet was one of the main challengers to Noval in the battle for the title.
De Smet showed strong speed during the opening part of the race and briefly occupied the leading position. However, as the race progressed, Noval gradually extended his advantage through the middle section. At the second time check, approximately 14.5 kilometers into the course, De Smet was already around 10 seconds behind Noval.
De Smet continued to push hard during the final section and managed to reduce part of the gap before the finish. He eventually completed the course in 25 minutes and 23 seconds, taking the silver medal, approximately six seconds behind the winner.
Although he was unable to challenge for the title, De Smet maintained a strong pace through the final stages and secured second place.
Risbjerg Comes Through for Bronze
Danish rider Malthe Risbjerg also produced a strong performance during the second half of the race.
Risbjerg was not among the leading riders during the opening section, but he gradually increased his speed as the race progressed into the middle and final sections, steadily reducing the gap to the riders ahead.
The 18-year-old Dane eventually completed the course in 25 minutes and 34 seconds, finishing 16 seconds behind the winner and taking the bronze medal.
The result also gave Denmark a place on the podium in the Junior Men's Individual Time Trial.
Junior Men's Individual Time Trial Podium
Gold: Benjamín Noval (Spain) — 25:23
Silver: Vic De Smet (Belgium) — approximately 6 seconds behind
Bronze: Malthe Risbjerg (Denmark) — 25:34, 16 seconds behind
The World Championships Move Toward the Road Races
Following the conclusion of the September 22 events, the 2026 UCI Road World Championships will gradually move from the individual time trials toward the road races. According to the schedule, the Junior Men's Road Race is set for September 24, the Men's U23 Road Race will take place on September 25, while the highly anticipated Elite Men's Road Race is scheduled for September 27 over a distance of 273.2 kilometers.
Earlier in the championships, Remco Evenepoel successfully defended his Elite Men's Individual Time Trial title, winning his fourth world championship title in the discipline with a time of 44:53.13. Italy's Filippo Ganna took the silver medal, while France's Paul Seixas won bronze.
As the road races approach, the Elite Men's Road Race will become one of the major highlights of the 2026 World Championships.
Conclusion
Overall, the key men's result on September 22 was Benjamín Noval's victory in the Junior Men's Individual Time Trial. With excellent pacing and a powerful performance in the second half of the race, the Spanish youngster prevailed on Montreal's technically demanding course and earned his first rainbow jersey at the World Championships.
