Brandon McNulty claimed victory in the men’s elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, surprising the field with a strong performance. The 28-year-old took the lead with 33 kilometers to go and maintained it until the end, finishing in six hours, 17 minutes, and four seconds. McNulty, who previously won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, expressed his disbelief and gratitude for the win, becoming the first American to secure an elite road race world title since Lance Armstrong in 1993.

Michael Matthews of Australia secured the silver medal with a time of 6:17:17, while Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands claimed bronze. Despite facing challenges on the final climb, McNulty managed to maintain his lead, with none of his competitors able to capitalize on the opportunity. Canadian cyclists also competed in the event, with Michael Leonard finishing as the top Canadian in 32nd place.

The absence of Tadej Pogacar created an unpredictable and chaotic race, with McNulty emerging as the unexpected victor. Former world champion Lance Armstrong commended McNulty on his exceptional performance, hailing it as a “thing of beauty.”