American cyclist Brandon McNulty claimed the men’s elite road race title at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships after completing the 273.4km course in Montreal, Canada, in 6:17:04. The 99th edition of the World Championships took place without two-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar, who was unable to defend his title after crashing at the Vuelta a España. For much of the race, riders launched several breakaway attempts as they battled for position, with 238km covered and 35km remaining. The decisive moment came when a lead breakaway quartet, spearheaded by Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, was caught by a group containing several pre-race favourites, including Mexico’s Isaac del Toro and France’s Paul Seixas. With 32km remaining, McNulty launched his attack, breaking clear of the leading group as he went in pursuit of the rainbow jersey. The American held on to his advantage until the finish, securing the world title and becoming the first American since 1993 to win the men’s elite road race at the World Championships. Australia’s Michael Matthews finished second, 13 seconds behind McNulty, while Van der Poel crossed the line third in the same time. Another American, Quinn Simmons, finished fourth, also in the same time as Matthews, while Mexico’s Isaac Del Toro Romero completed the top five, 14 seconds behind the winner. There was no Rwandan representative in the men’s elite road race. Men’s elite road race results Brandon McNulty (USA) — 6:17:04 Michael Matthews (Australia) — +13 seconds Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) — same time Quinn Simmons (USA) — same time Isaac Del Toro Romero (Mexico) — +14 seconds
