5 takeaways from the World Cycling Championships: A support staff member becomes world champion, hard-learned lessons and favourites who fell short

​Spectacular attacks, a surprise world champion and valuable lessons for the next generation: the men’s road race in Montréal provided plenty to talk about. We round up the five key takeaways from a memorable World Cycling Championships.

​The men’s road race at the 2026 World Cycling Championships in Montréal lived up to the promise of its spectacular route. Over 273.4 kilometres, the race unfolded with a flurry of attacks, tactical twists and surprising winners. In the end, Brandon McNulty clinched the title with a solo ride and secured the USA’s first World Championship victory in this race since 1993.

1. A support staff member becomes world champion at the World Cycling Championships

In recent years, the major races at the World Cycling Championships have often been tailored to the absolute superstars. Names such as Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert have dominated the races. Brandon McNulty, on the other hand, has tended to fall into the category of riders who normally work for such stars. Riding for UAE Emirates, the American is often overshadowed by Pogačar and usually takes on the role of a key support rider.

That is precisely why his triumph makes this World Championship so special. McNulty proved that, in a race lasting more than six hours, it is not necessarily the biggest name who wins. Instead, the rider who came out on top was one who seized the perfect moment to launch his attack, possessed the necessary strength and, above all, consistently capitalised on the tactical errors of the favourites. Whilst behind him, riders such as van der Poel, Evenepoel, Pidcock and Del Toro were cancelling each other out, McNulty carried out his plan without compromise.

The most important lesson to be learnt is therefore this: the level of competition in professional cycling is higher today than it has ever been. Even riders who usually act as support riders in day-to-day racing are capable of becoming world champions on a perfect day. Montréal is the best proof of this.

2. An exceptional talent, but not yet a fully-fledged champion

At just 20 years of age, Paul Seixas was one of the most talked-about riders ahead of the race. The Frenchman impressively confirmed his exceptional class and was right up there with the leaders right up to the final stages. Nevertheless, the hoped-for medal did not materialise. In the final kilometres, Seixas struggled with cramp and was unable to make a decisive move in the final stretch.

Seixas is already at a level where he can hold his own against riders such as Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock and Isaac del Toro. However, a World Cycling Championship race lasting more than six hours demands not only talent but also experience in managing nutrition, pacing and energy conservation. This is likely to be a valuable lesson for the Frenchman.

3. The generation of super-talents takes over the World Cycling Championships

It wasn’t just Seixas who was showcasing the future of cycling. Isaac del Toro was also one of the most active riders in the final and was one of the driving forces. Time and again, the Mexican set the pace and forced the other favourites to react.

The World Cycling Championships impressively demonstrated just how young the new elite is these days. Riders such as Del Toro and Seixas are no longer merely aiming for top-ten finishes. They are actively shaping the biggest races and are likely to make their mark on future World Championships.

4. Despite its wealth of superstars, Belgium remains a tactical enigma

Once again, Belgium had two of the biggest favourites in Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert. Once again, the result was nothing but disappointment. Whilst van Aert rode aggressively and launched several attacks, Evenepoel found himself in difficult positions on several occasions. Later, the time trial world champion said that he hadn’t had a good day. In the final stages, however, he managed to close some of the gaps.

This pattern is nothing new. Belgium may well have the strongest squad in the world, but it regularly fails to translate that strength into a title in the road race at the World Cycling Championships. Montréal was yet another example of how big names alone are not enough.

5. Races without radio communication make for a much more spectacular event

The World Championships are traditionally held without race radio, and Montréal demonstrated once again why so many fans love this format. Time and again, unexpected racing situations arose, chasing groups failed to work together cohesively, and the favourites were forced to make their own decisions.

McNulty’s victory, in particular, was also the result of this dynamic. On several occasions, his breakaway appeared to have failed, yet time and again, the cooperation behind him faltered. In a race that was completely under control, with constant radio communication, such a solo breakaway would probably have been considerably more difficult.

Conclusion

The World Championships in Montréal were one of the most spectacular road races of recent years. Brandon McNulty made perfect use of the chaos and was crowned world champion. At the same time, the race showed that, with riders such as Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro, the next generation is already knocking on the door of the world’s elite. And it confirmed once again that when the world’s best riders are racing across a gruelling course without radio communication, the result is races that will be remembered for a long time to come.