September 14/25 18:05 pm - McNulty Wins First WorldTour Race at Montreal

Posted by Editoress on 09/14/25
 

World champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) was favoured to repeat on Sunday at the GP Cycliste Montreal, but he graciously gave the win to his teammate Brandon McNulty, as the pair crossed the line together. Hugo Houle (Israel Premier Tech) was the top Canadian, just as he was on Friday in Quebec City, finishing 45th.

The race opened with the obligatory early attack; this time seven riders broke away - Jorgen Nordhagen (Visma Lease a Bike), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal Quick-Step), Andrew August and Artem Shmidt (both INEOS Grenadiers), Victory Lafay (Decathlon AG2R La Mondial), Frank van den Broek (Picnic PostNL) and Embert Svestad-Bardseng (Arkea-B&B Hotels).

Unlike Quebec, where the four rider break took over six minutes, UAE was keeping a close eye on things in Montreal, and the break maxed out at 90 seconds. A chase group of eight worked its way across to the leaders with 104 kilometres to go, but the gap was only just over a minute ... and then UAE ramped things up and quickly brought it down to 20 seconds.

The shrinking bunch backed off a bit for a lap, allowing the lead to go out to 42 seconds, but then UAE accelerated again and, with 70 kilometres to go, the peloton was shattered and the break was caught. The bunch was down to 32 riders, with big names like Wout van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) gone. The number of riders at the front continued to shrink on every incline, and was down to 24 with four laps remaining. A lap later, McNulty was given his freedom by Pogacar, and attacked with American champion Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek). Once they had established a gap, Pogacar jumped across, with only Louis Barre (Intermarche-Wanty) able to respond.

McNulty continued to do heroic work at the front while Pogacar sat at the back. Everyone was waiting for the inevitable attack, and the world champion went from the back, sitting down, on the main Mont Royal climb. Simmons tried to chase, with McNulty on his wheel, and then McNulty jumped his rival to take solo possession of second with 16 kilometres to go.

McNulty made his way across to his teammate, and then sat on the wheel as they started the final lap. Simmons was hanging on to third, but looking over his shoulder constantly. At the finish, the UAE duo linked arms, and then Pogacar pushed McNulty ahead of him to take the win; the American's first ever WorldTour victory. Simmons hung on for third.

It was the 85th win for the season by UAE - tying the record set in 2009 by HTC-Columbia. It was also the fourth straight victory in Montreal for the team, with Pogacar winning in 2022 and 2024, and Adam Yates in 2023.

"Winning the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal by crossing the finish line with Tadej Pogacar, the best rider in the world and my teammate, will remain a unique moment in my career," said McNulty. "It was an incredible day! We managed to execute our plan to perfection. With four laps to go, I was asked if I could try a solo attack. I tried and four of us broke away. Then, after Tadej's attack, I managed to drop Quinn Simmons and catch up with him. It was very special to find ourselves both at the front of the race. With this victory, we have equaled the record for wins in a season. It's very special and very rewarding after narrowly missing out last year (81 wins in 2024). Now we want to break that record before the end of the season."

Pogacar stated: "I'm very happy to see Brandon win here. He was very strong, as was the whole team today. We quickly reduced the peloton thanks to the sustained pace we set at the front. I gave the signal for Brandon to try his luck with four laps to go, then I joined him. And when I found myself alone after my attack in the penultimate lap, I decided to wait for him when I saw that he wasn't that far behind. Once we were together, it was clear that the victory would be between us. It's been an incredible season for our team. Many riders on the team have already raised their arms in victory this year (20 different riders), each one seizing their chance. It's the result of a tremendous collective effort."

Simmons admitted that he was surprised and happy just to make the podium. "This Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was one of the most difficult one-day races of my career. Pogacar and McNulty's team had a score to settle after Friday's Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec. They did it in style. Congratulations to them. Being beaten by Brandon and Tadej is quite honourable. It's my best result in a UCI World Tour one-day race. It's an important milestone in my career. And then to be on the podium with another American, wearing the United States champion's jersey, makes this day even more special."