Brandon McNulty claimed a surprising victory in the men’s elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal. The 28-year-old took the lead with 33 kilometers to go and maintained it until the end, crossing the finish line in six hours, 17 minutes, and four seconds. McNulty, who had previously won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, expressed his disbelief and joy at his win, becoming the first American to secure an elite road race world title since Lance Armstrong in 1993.
Australian rider Michael Matthews secured the silver medal with a time of 6:17:17, while Matthew van der Poel of the Netherlands claimed bronze. Despite facing challenges on the final significant climb, McNulty managed to retain his lead, with none of his competitors able to capitalize on his momentary weakness. The top Canadian finisher was Michael Leonard from Oakville, who finished in 32nd place with a time of 6:23:43.
The absence of Derek Gee-West from the Canadian team, due to a previous injury, and a late-race setback for French rider Paul Seixas added drama to the event. The race, covering a 273.4-km course with enthusiastic spectators, was described as chaotic and unpredictable due to the absence of two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
McNulty’s victory, despite not being among the favored contenders, drew praise from Armstrong, who commended the American cyclist for his remarkable achievement at the Montreal World Championships.
