Brandon McNulty clinched the UCI Road World Championship on September 27, 2026, becoming the first American man to win the elite men’s road race in 33 years.
Why it matters: McNulty's victory marks a historic moment in U.S. cycling, ending a long drought since Lance Armstrong's last title in 1993. His win highlights the resurgence of American talent in the sport.
- McNulty's triumph adds him to an elite group of U.S. champions that includes Greg LeMond and Armstrong.
- The win is a morale boost for American cycling, which has struggled in recent years.
- McNulty's performance showcases the effectiveness of teamwork and strategy in cycling.
Driving the news: The race took place in Montréal, covering a grueling distance of 273 km. McNulty launched his decisive attack with 33 km remaining, surprising competitors and spectators alike.
- He executed a powerful 32 km solo breakaway, maintaining a lead over the final kilometers.
- McNulty finished 13 seconds ahead of Australian Michael Matthews, who took silver.
- Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands secured bronze, also finishing 13 seconds behind.
The big picture: McNulty's victory comes at a time when U.S. cycling is looking for new heroes. The absence of defending champion Tadej Pogačar, who missed the event due to a crash, opened the door for McNulty.
- McNulty had previously struggled in elite races, with his best result being 17th in past world championships.
- This victory is not just a personal achievement but a collective success for Team USA, which displayed strong teamwork throughout the race.
- The race was chaotic, with numerous attacks and breakaways, making McNulty's victory even more impressive.
What they're saying: McNulty expressed disbelief at his victory, stating, "I didn’t believe it until the last 100 meters—I was so tired. I knew something could happen, but it would take a miracle. Apparently, miracles happen today." His teammates echoed his sentiments about the team's strength leading into the race.
- Quinn Simmons, a teammate, emphasized the team's preparation: "We’ve been saying for weeks that we had a super-strong team, and that it was possible. We rode incredibly well."
- McNulty's wife noted that he joked about needing a miracle to win, highlighting the unexpected nature of the victory.
- Even competitors like Remco Evenepoel acknowledged McNulty's performance, noting the unpredictability of the race.
By the numbers: McNulty's win is a landmark achievement in U.S. cycling history.
- He is the third American man to win the elite road race, following LeMond and Armstrong.
- The last top-five finish by an American in this event was Neilson Powless, who placed fifth in 2021.
- McNulty's winning time was 6:17:04, completing the 273 km course in just over six hours.
What's next: McNulty will wear the rainbow jersey for the next year, competing in various international events as the reigning world champion.
- The next World Championships will be held in Haute-Savoie, France, in 2027.
- McNulty aims to build on this success, looking toward future Grand Tours and Olympic opportunities.
- His victory may inspire a new generation of American cyclists to pursue their dreams in competitive cycling.