Brandon McNulty, a 28-year-old American rider for UAE Emirates, won the men's elite road race world championship in Montreal on Sunday with a solo victory that outlets described as unexpected. He finished with a time of 6 hours, 17 minutes and 4 seconds, according to Arab News.
The win ended a 33-year drought for American men in the race, with sources noting the last US winner was Lance Armstrong in Oslo in 1993, six years before what The Guardian described as his tainted Tour de France reign began.
Australia's Michael Matthews finished second and Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands placed third, according to Arab News. Pre-race favorite Remco Evenpoel did not add a second world title, according to The Guardian.
McNulty, who also won the Montreal Grand Prix last year according to Arab News, is a teammate of reigning champion Tadej Pogacar at UAE Emirates. Multiple outlets described the victory as a surprise, with Yahoo Sports calling McNulty 'shocked' and other reports using the word 'miracle' to characterize the win.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian described McNulty's win as a 'miracle' amid a chaotic race in Montreal.
- Reports noted McNulty is a UAE Emirates teammate of defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
- Outlets highlighted that pre-race favorite Remco Evenpoel failed to win a second gold.
- Coverage emphasized this was the first US win in the event since Lance Armstrong's 1993 victory.
“USA’s McNulty transcends chaos of brutal Montreal road race to claim ‘miracle’ world championship” — The Guardian
Center
- Multiple center outlets reported McNulty's finishing time as 6 hours, 17 minutes and 4 seconds.
- Arab News and others named Michael Matthews second and Mathieu van der Poel third.
- Coverage consistently described the win as ending a 33-year drought for American men.
- Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport both described McNulty as a surprise or 'stunned' winner.
“Stunned McNulty wins 'miracle' road race world title” — Yahoo Sports
Questions readers ask
Who won the 2025 men's road race world championship?
Brandon McNulty, a 28-year-old American cyclist riding for UAE Emirates, won the men's elite road race world title in Montreal.
Why is McNulty's win significant?
McNulty became the first American man to win the road race world title since Lance Armstrong in 1993, ending a 33-year drought for US riders in the event.
Who else finished on the podium?
According to Arab News, Michael Matthews of Australia finished second and Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands finished third.
Was McNulty expected to win?
No, multiple outlets described the victory as a surprise; The Guardian called it a 'miracle' win and Yahoo Sports described McNulty as 'shocked' after stunning the pre-race favorites.
Sources · 9 outlet reports
- CBC NewsLeft-leaningMcNulty becomes 1st American to win elite road race world title since Lance Armstrong in 1993
- The GuardianLeft-leaningUSA’s McNulty transcends chaos of brutal Montreal road race to claim ‘miracle’ world championship
- Arab NewsCenterMcNulty wins road world title to end US men’s 33-year drought
- BBC SportCenterMcNulty first US world road race winner in 33 years
- CNACenterMcNulty wins road world title to end US men's 33-year drought
- The Irish TimesCenterBen Healy finishes 10th in world road race as McNulty ends American drought
- The Straits TimesCenterMcNulty wins road world title to end US men's 33-year drought
- Yahoo SportsCenterBrandon McNulty wins U.S.' first road race world title in 33 years
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningMcNulty Wins First US Road World Title Since 1993