McNulty ends 33-year US wait for men's road race world title

Brandon McNulty held off some of cycling’s leading riders in Montreal to become the first American in 33 years to win the men’s road race world championship. The 28-year-old completed the 273.4-kilometre course in just over six hours and 17 minutes, finishing 13 seconds ahead of his pursuers.

His decisive move came with roughly 30 kilometres remaining. Riding alone, he built a 50-second advantage by the start of the final lap. That gap fell to just 10 seconds late in the race, but the chasing riders could not catch him. Australia’s Michael Matthews took silver and the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel bronze.

McNulty often rides in support of Tadej Pogacar at their professional team, UAE Emirates. The defending champion missed the race through injury, but several leading contenders remained. McNulty was not among the pre-race favourites, despite having won the Montreal Grand Prix a year earlier.

Afterwards, he credited his US teammates for responding to rivals’ attacks and keeping riders up the road. “We've said for weeks that we have a super strong team and that it's possible,” he said.

The finish brought visible disbelief as McNulty raised his hands to his helmet. A rider accustomed to helping a teammate win had secured a world title of his own.