UCI Expelled Coach After Car Incident at Road Worlds
A Spanish team car hit a crossing during the junior race, leading to a coach's expulsion from the event.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Cycling
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The UCI race jury expelled Spanish national coach Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas following a dangerous driving incident during the junior road world championships in Montréal. No injuries were reported after the car struck a pedestrian crossing and briefly lifted off the road while following racer Benjamín Noval.
Why it matters
The expulsion reflects the UCI's stringent enforcement of safety protocols for team vehicles navigating races near cyclists and pedestrians. Ensuring vehicle control is critical to preventing high-speed accidents that could jeopardize both athletes and spectators during mass-start events.
The UCI jury issued a 1,000 Swiss franc fine and expulsion following a documented incident where a team car struck a pedestrian crossing. While the investigation confirmed the rear wheels left the road, no injuries occurred during the 134km junior road race.
The players
Eleuterio Anguita Hinojosas
Spanish national road cycling coach who was expelled from the world championships for unsafe driving.
Benjamín Noval
A 17-year-old cyclist who secured both the junior time trial and junior road world titles.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
The world governing body for sports cycling that oversees safety regulations and competition integrity.
The details
The incident occurred when the lead sport director’s car followed Benjamín Noval downhill at a high rate of speed. Upon hitting the pedestrian crossing, the vehicle lost contact with the road surface, momentarily becoming airborne. The UCI jury determined the driving was hazardous enough to warrant immediate expulsion from the ongoing championships.
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.
Health Landscape
The UCI's decision underscores the intense focus on mitigating trauma risks for athletes and spectators in competitive cycling. This action follows the UCI's ongoing vehicle safety and risk mitigation protocols designed to prevent high-speed collisions in densely populated race environments.
Spectators at high-speed sporting events should always remain in designated secure zones to avoid injury from out-of-control vehicles. If you attend similar road races, observe all pedestrian crossing warnings and barrier instructions from event staff.
The takeaway
Maintaining strict distance from official race vehicles is a vital safety precaution for any spectator at professional cycling events. Follow official course maps and stay behind crowd-control barriers to protect yourself from unpredictable race dynamics.
What happens next
Benjamín Noval is scheduled to join the WorldTour professional circuit next season with Netcompany-Ineos.
Further reading
For more information on race safety and technical regulations, visit the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Velo.
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