Brandon McNulty also won the Montreal Grand Prix in 2025
Brandon McNulty became the first American winner of the men's road race world title in 33 years with a stunning victory in Montreal.
The 28-year-old put his hands on his head in disbelief as he crossed the line 13 seconds clear of the chasing pack, completing the gruelling 273.4km course in six hours and 17 minutes.
Australian Michael Matthews was second, with former winner Mathieu van der Poel, of the Netherlands, in third.
The last American winner of the race was Lance Armstrong in 1993.
"Until the last 800m I didn't believe, I was so tired," said McNulty.
"I'm at a loss for words. I knew something could happen but it would take a miracle and I guess today a miracle happened".
He launched an attack going into the final 30km and was 50 seconds clear going into the last lap.
McNulty visibly began to tire on the final climb and his lead was cut to just 10 seconds, but the chasing pack were unable to reel him in.
Britain's Tom Pidcock finished seventh, with Ireland's Ben Healy 10th and Remco Evenepoel of Belgium in 12th place.
Watch closing stages of men’s road race at World Championships
Even without injured riding legend Tadej Pogacar, Montreal 2026 was still full of favourites who were expected to dictate the shape of this monumentally long race.
Van der poel, Evenepoel, Wout van Aert, Paul Seixas and Pidcock were all there, all animating and pushing to breakaway from one another under gradually yellowing Canadian maples.
But timing, not power or race craft, proved crucial.
Such was the distance all attacked far too early, and it was McNulty – a time triallist and domestique to Pogacar by trade – who took off and emptied himself.
The unassuming and, at times, seemingly timid American is a very popular winner of what was unquestionably one of the best races of a long season.
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