American cyclist Brandon McNulty won the World Road Cycling Championships in Montreal on Sunday, September 27, after breaking clear to claim the rainbow jersey.
McNulty became only the fourth American in history to capture the men's road race world title, following Greg LeMond in 1983 and 1989 and Lance Armstrong in 1993.
Following the victory, Armstrong congratulated his compatriot on social media, calling the event without question the most exciting race of the year. The 54-year-old Texan described McNulty as a thoroughly deserving winner who produced a true masterpiece on the Canadian course.
The public message from Armstrong raised eyebrows across the cycling world due to his history of doping scandals. Armstrong was banned for life in 2012 and stripped of all titles won after 1998, including his seven Tour de France victories while leading the US Postal team.
American Teamwork and UAE Connections
McNulty usually rides in a supporting role at UAE Team Emirates behind Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar. With Pogacar absent from the event due to injury, McNulty took full advantage of his opportunity to ride for personal glory.
The victory defied pre-race predictions that favored top international contenders including Remco Evenepoel, Wout Van Aert, Mathieu Van der Poel, and Isaac Del Toro.
The achievement capped a disciplined tactical effort by the United States national squad. Apart from early work by Quinn Simmons, American riders saved their energy until McNulty launched his decisive break, after which Matteo Jorgenson provided crucial defensive support to protect the leader until the line.
Moments after crossing the finish line, McNulty fell into the arms of controversial UAE team manager Mauro Gianetti. The close embrace between the new champion and Gianetti renewed public scrutiny and fed an atmosphere of distrust surrounding the performance in a sport long plagued by suspicion.
International Rivalries and Team Dynamics
Tactical maneuvering extended across rival nations during the Montreal race. Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro, who also competes commercially for UAE Team Emirates, appeared to monitor French leader Paul Seixas closely without expending unnecessary effort, reflecting trade team allegiances alongside national duties.
Meanwhile, reports highlighted how Belgian star Remco Evenepoel manages team loyalty within his squad. Evenepoel reportedly provides cash incentives to his Belgian teammates, placing envelopes on the table and offering double payouts to guarantee their dedicated support during major championship races.
For the French national team, the race ended in bitter disappointment. Highly touted prospect Paul Seixas suffered severe leg cramps in the closing kilometers, later calling the outcome a shame and stating he had no desire to discuss his physical collapse.
French Team Selections and Mid-Race Withdrawal
French team manager Thomas Voeckler defended the squad's tactical approach, insisting that the race strategy was crafted in the best interest of Seixas's profile. Reports also revealed that Seixas and Voeckler had engaged in mutual negotiations to alter final roster selections ahead of the championships.
Former professional cyclists suggested that France should mirror the tactical framework of UAE Team Emirates, arguing that Seixas possesses racing characteristics similar to those of Pogacar.
The French squad also made headlines after a series of late rider withdrawals forced an unusual replacement. An official team masseur shaved his legs and stepped in to ride the world championship race, completing 100 kilometers before abandoning the event.
Debate Over Cycling Legacy and Credibility
Armstrong's public involvement sparked angry responses from cycling supporters online. Several fans expressed exasperation at media outlets amplifying the views of disgraced athletes, noting that Armstrong retained significant prize money despite losing his official titles.
Other observers defended McNulty's achievement, pointing to his long record of strong time-trial performances as proof of his physical endurance. They argued that McNulty's victory stemmed from smart racing and effective team support rather than unexpected luck.
