Aluminas, exhibiting different textural properties, were prepared using a template assisted sol–gelmethod. In the presence of a triblock copolymer as a porogen, and owing to the control of the synthesisparameters, alumina textural properties can be adjusted up to values higher than those of conventionalalumina. Among obtained supports, some were selected in order to cover surface area values from 350to 450 m2 g1, and pore diameters from 5.4 to 9.0 nm. CoMo derived catalysts, prepared by impregnationwith a (Co2Mo10O38H4)Co3 solution, with a concentration corresponding to a molybdenum densityof 4 atMo nm2 (or 3 when not possible to achieve 4), exhibit decreased textural parameters. However,despite the changes induced by the preparation step, the final catalysts always display attractive texturalproperties. Activities in thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) can be increased by a factor three,depending on the textural properties of the supports used and possibly to some extend on the residualcarbon content in the material. The performance of the most efficient solid in the HDS of thiophenewas evaluated in the HDS of a straight run gas oil (SRGO) and was found higher than that of a commercialalumina based catalyst and close to that of a commercial catalyst modified by a chelating agent,evaluated under the same conditions.