Brandon McNulty secured a breakthrough victory at the world cycling championships in Montreal, capitalizing on a tactical stalemate among the race favorites to launch a decisive late attack. With top contenders watching one another inside the final kilometers, the American rider slipped away on the left side of the road to claim the rainbow jersey.
The race had blown wide open early following the absence of Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar missed the start line after crashing at the Vuelta a España, denying the Slovenian star a chance to chase a historic third world title—a feat matched only by Peter Sagan. Without the dominant favorite controlling the playbook, the peloton fractured almost as soon as the course hit the city streets of Montreal.
Early Breakaways and Tactical Chess
France seized the initiative immediately, attempting to dictate the tempo after reeling in a massive early breakaway. Bruno Armirail drove the pace for 60 kilometers as part of a French strategy designed to isolate heavier riders and set up young climber Lenny Seixas. However, the Netherlands and Belgium quickly dismantled that plan.
Mathieu van der Poel ignited the race with a fierce attack roughly 100 kilometers from the finish line, drawing out his longtime rival Wout van Aert. The two superstars immediately forced the pace, establishing a powerful elite group that included Primož Roglic, Oscar Onley, and Quinn Simmons. While France scrambled to organize a chase behind them, the leading coalition opened a substantial gap.
The Selection Narrows in the Mountains
Van der Poel wasn’t finished. The Dutch rider attacked again on the circuit’s longest climb, shedding all but Onley and Simmons. Roglic initially hesitated before unleashing his agile pedaling on the slopes, clawing back a 30-second deficit in just a kilometer and a half to bridge the gap to the front of the race.
With more than 50 kilometers remaining, the trio pressed on, though Onley eventually cracked under the relentless pressure. Further back, the remaining favorites—including Ben Healy, Tom Pidcock, Isaac del Toro, and Seixas—traded blows without managing a solo escape, eventually swelling the front group as the race entered its final phase.
The Winning Move in Montreal
As the tactical maneuvering peaked among the heavy hitters, the United States squad executed a tactical race. While Quinn Simmons covered every aggressive move launched by Van der Poel, teammates Matteo Jorgenson and Brandon McNulty conserved their energy safely inside the bunch.
With the major contenders marking each other and hesitating in the closing moments, McNulty spotted his opening. The American launched a surprise acceleration down the left side of the road, catching the rest of the elite group flat-footed. No one reacted in time as McNulty rounded the final bend alone, crossing the finish line with his arms raised in victory.
Behind him, Michael Matthews sprinted to a great silver medal after riding a patient race. The effort of Van der Poel during the day was rewarded with the bronze medal.
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