UCI Expelled Spanish Coach After Dangerous Car Incident
The race jury removed Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas following a reckless team car maneuver during the junior road race.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Cycling
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The UCI expelled Spanish national coach Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas from the world championships after his team car hit a pedestrian crossing at high speed. The vehicle briefly went airborne during the 134km junior road race in Montréal, Canada, though no injuries were reported.
Why it matters
The expulsion serves as a severe disciplinary response to dangerous driving practices that threatened participant and public safety during a sanctioned international competition. It highlights the UCI's strict enforcement of race convoy regulations to prevent high-speed incidents near cyclists and spectators.
The jury issued a 1,000 Swiss francs fine to Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas following the incident. Benjamín Noval secured the junior road title with a 42-second lead over runner-up Simon Defrance.
The players
Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas
He is the Spanish national coach who was expelled from the competition by the UCI.
Benjamín Noval
He is a 17-year-old cyclist who won both the junior time trial and the junior road worlds title.
UCI
The Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling.
The details
The lead sport director's car barreled downhill behind eventual winner Benjamín Noval, hitting a pedestrian crossing with enough force to lift its rear wheels off the road. While the incident caused alarm, officials confirmed that no injuries occurred to the driver, race officials, or the public.
Timeline
Tuesday: Benjamín Noval won the junior time trial.
Thursday: Benjamín Noval won the junior road worlds title.
2018: Remco Evenepoel last achieved the junior worlds double.
Season Trajectory
Benjamín Noval is now set to join the WorldTour next season with Netcompany-Ineos following his dominant performance. His double-win achievement echoes the historical precedent set by Remco Evenepoel in 2018.
Noval finished the 134km race 42 seconds ahead of Simon Defrance, solidifying his status as a top prospect. This performance follows his 6-second victory in the Tuesday time trial, completing his world championships sweep.
The takeaway
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous safety protocols required when managing support vehicles in close proximity to young athletes. Teams are now expected to face increased scrutiny regarding their driving conduct during high-speed mountain descents.
What happens next
Benjamín Noval is scheduled to transition to the professional WorldTour circuit with Netcompany-Ineos starting in the next season.
Further reading
For more on international competition standards, visit the Cycling section.
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