American Brandon McNulty claimed the men's UCI road race world championship with a solo win in Montreal, ending a 33-year wait for a US champion in the event.
Key facts
- Brandon McNulty, 28, won the men's UCI road race world title in Montreal
- He is the first American winner of the event since Lance Armstrong in 1993
- McNulty rides for UAE Emirates alongside Tadej Pogacar
- He succeeds Pogacar as world champion
- Pre-race favourite Remco Evenepoel failed to win a second gold
Brandon McNulty has become the first American to win the men’s road race world title in 33 years, taking a solo victory in Montreal, according to the BBC.
The 28-year-old rider from Arizona secured what the Guardian described as the biggest triumph of his career, ending the United States’ long wait for success in the UCI’s blue riband event.
McNulty is a teammate of Tadej Pogacar at UAE Emirates, and he succeeded the Slovene as world champion with what the Guardian called an unexpected solo win.
The last American to win the men’s road race world title was Lance Armstrong, who claimed his lone victory in Oslo in 1993, the Guardian reported.
Pre-race favourite Remco Evenepoel failed to add a second gold to his palmares in the event, according to the Guardian, which characterised the race in Montreal as chaotic and brutal.
The result marks a milestone for US cycling, capping a race that the Guardian said McNulty transcended to claim a ‘miracle’ world championship.
Why it matters
McNulty's win ends more than three decades without an American men's road race world champion, a significant moment for US cycling. It also underlines the strength of the UAE Emirates team, which now holds the title through consecutive years via different riders.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the men's road race world championship in 2026?
Brandon McNulty, a 28-year-old American rider from Arizona, won the men's UCI road race world title in Montreal with a solo victory.
When did an American last win the men's road race world title?
The last American winner before McNulty was Lance Armstrong, who took his lone victory in Oslo in 1993, according to the Guardian.
What team does Brandon McNulty ride for?
McNulty rides for UAE Emirates, where he is a teammate of Tadej Pogacar, whom he succeeded as world champion.