Brandon McNulty wins men's world road race title in Montreal after 33 km solo attack

McNulty wins world title after solo attack

Brandon McNulty won the men's road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal on 27 September 2026 after launching a solo attack in the final 33 kilometers. The UAE Team Emirates rider completed the 273.4-kilometer course in 6 hours, 17 minutes and 4 seconds, registering an average speed of 43.5 km/h. His victory secures a third road world title for the United States, following Greg LeMond in 1983 and 1989, and Lance Armstrong in 1993. Michael Matthews took second place for Australia, finishing 13 seconds back in a sprint against Mathieu van der Poel, who earned the bronze medal for the Netherlands. Quinn Simmons crossed the line fourth with the same 13-second deficit, ahead of Isaac Del Toro in fifth at 14 seconds.

Tactical shifts on the Montreal circuit

The decisive phase began approximately 60 kilometers before the finish when Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro attacked to bridge across to a breakaway group led by Mathieu van der Poel. That lead group soon gathered Primož Roglic and Quinn Simmons before McNulty made his decisive move. McNulty built a 15-second advantage at 34 kilometers remaining and stretched his gap to 53 seconds with 13 kilometers to go. Behind him, Remco Evenepoel joined the chasing group with Seixas and Del Toro at 17 kilometers out, while Tom Pidcock and Giulio Ciccone launched counter-attacks at 11 kilometers out to reduce the American's lead to 10 seconds with 10 kilometers remaining.

Seixas falters in final kilometers

French team leader Paul Seixas, aged 20, remained in medal contention throughout the race before physical difficulties disrupted his finish. Seixas experienced his first muscular cramps 25 kilometers from the finish while riding with the lead group. Although he recovered briefly, the rider from Lyon lost contact with the leaders when severe cramps returned inside the final four kilometers. Seixas stopped pedaling with three kilometers remaining and finished in 15th place, 2 minutes and 47 seconds behind McNulty. After crossing the line, Seixas attributed the breakdown to his nutrition management during the event.

It is my fault. I am extremely disappointed with what I did.

French reaction and contenders standings

French national coach Thomas Voeckler acknowledged the physical toll of the race while downplaying theories regarding nutritional mistakes. Voeckler stated that Seixas followed the exact nutrition and hydration protocols used throughout the season, noting that the rider was left without teammates earlier than anticipated.

He aimed so high. He had announced that any result other than gold would be a failure. It pisses me off too, but if it were easy to win a world championship, everyone would know it.

Several other pre-race contenders missed the podium as the peloton fractured during the final laps. Remco Evenepoel, who entered the event seeking a time trial and road race double, finished 12th at 25 seconds behind the winner. Juan Ayuso of Spain placed 13th at 2 minutes and 8 seconds, Stefan Küng took 14th at 2 minutes and 19 seconds, Primož Roglic finished 21st at 3 minutes and 29 seconds, and Wout van Aert crossed in 28th place at 5 minutes and 11 seconds.