TakeWorlds3 weeks ago
Ashlin Barry went solo with 30km left and nobody behind him could organize a chase. Five favourites were left marking each other instead of racing, and a 19-year-old rode away with America's first ever under-23 world title.
Barry had already spent over 100km in the day's breakaway before he attacked alone, holding off a chase group stacked with talent — Aubin Sparfel, Hector Alvarez, Jesper Stiansen, Niels Driesen, Matteo Scalco — none of whom could turn cooperation into a catch. No American man had won this title since it launched in 1996; Taylor Phinney's 2010 bronze was as close as the country got. Barry did it on his 19th birthday, in Montreal, the city where his dual citizenship makes the win feel less like an away job and more like a homecoming.
Sources
UCI Road World Championships: Ashlin Barry powers to under-23 men's title with 30-kilometre solo attack | CyclingnewsResults World Championships men's under-23 road race 2026 - Gold for USA incredible Ashlin Barry survives breakaway battle and denies big favourites in victoryAshlin Barry Makes History as First American to Win U23 World Champion Title | Velo Outside Online
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