TakeWorlds2 weeks ago
Team USA sweeps men's road titles in Montreal, women finish quiet
Brandon McNulty won the elite men's road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships on September 27 in Montreal, the first American to take the title since Lance Armstrong in 1993. He attacked with 32 kilometers left and soloed the final 33 kilometers, beating Michael Matthews by 13 seconds with Mathieu van der Poel third. Team USA put three riders in the top 10: McNulty first, Quinn Simmons fourth, Matteo Jorgenson eighth. In the elite women's road race on September 26, Kristen Faulkner was the top American finisher in 21st.
What this means
USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk said he expects the week in Montreal to have a wide-ranging impact on American cycling.
McNulty, 28, rides for UAE Team Emirates-XRG and had already won the junior time trial world title in 2016, exactly ten years before his elite road race win. After the finish he said: «Until the last 300 meters, I really didn't believe it, I was so tired. I knew something could happen, but it would take a miracle. I guess today miracles happen.» Tom Pidcock said afterward that UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Isaac del Toro — McNulty's teammate — was 'obviously working for McNulty in the end', after del Toro finished fifth, 14 seconds back. Del Toro denied it, saying 'I didn't hold anything back until the finish line' and 'I think it was clear we came to win.' Michael Matthews, who finished second, said 'There was a little bit of teamwork between certain riders' across national teams. Team USA captain Larry Warbasse rejected the del Toro theory directly, telling Velo: 'No chance. I don't think he was riding for Brandon. That's just a bit ridiculous, obviously people are looking for storylines to build.' Barry, who turned 19 on race day, attacked with 129 kilometers to go and finished the 174.2-kilometer under-23 race solo in 4:17:35. He is the son of former professional cyclists Dede and Michael Barry, and his mother Deidre 'Dede' Demet-Barry won the Junior world championship in 1989 — making Ashlin the second family member to win a world title road race in Montreal.
Sources
Brandon McNulty and Team USA Take Historic World Title in Elite Men's Road Race at the 2026 UCI Road World ChampionshipsAshlin Barry Wins USA's First-Ever Under-23 Road Race World Title at the 2026 UCI Road World ChampionshipsKristen Faulkner Leads U.S. Women at 2026 UCI Road World ChampionshipsBrandon McNulty wins U.S.' first road race world title in 33 years - NBC Sports2026 UCI Road World Championships: McNulty caps off memorable Montréal weekWho Won The Men Elite Road Race At The 2026 UCI Road Worlds?'Del Toro was obviously working for McNulty in the end' – Tom Pidcock gives insight into tactical headache of the chasing group at World ChampionshipsPidcock says Del Toro 'was obviously working for McNulty', yet the Mexican finished fifth in tearsDel Toro after Worlds: 'I didn't hold anything back'Del Toro and McNulty chatted 6 km before the Worlds-winning attack, and Belgian TV noticed'That's Ridiculous': Team USA Captain Shoots Down Del Toro-McNulty Worlds ConspiracyAshlin Barry Wins USA's First U23 Road Race World TitleWho Won The Men U23 Road Race At The 2026 UCI Road Worlds? Results HereCongrats to Ashlin Barry: World Champion!Montreal Worlds was 'the best single week' ever for Team USA on the road. Now what?
Analysed 15 sources, written and summarised with AI · How we work