Brandon McNulty's surprisingly low prize money for winning World Championships - UAE rider's earnings falls short of other major races
Cycling
Brandon McNulty now holds one of the greatest prizes any professional cyclist can win: the rainbow jersey. The American was crowned road world champion on Sunday at the Montréal 2026 World Championships and entered cycling history, although the direct financial reward for taking the world title is a long way from the figures seen at the Grand Tours.
The new world champion will receive €8,000 for his victory in the road race. That figure may seem surprisingly low given the significance of the title, and it falls well short of the prize money awarded at other major events on the international calendar.
The contrast is especially stark when McNulty’s prize is compared with what a stage winner earns at any of the three Grand Tours. The Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España all pay more for winning a single stage than the €8,000 due to the world champion for taking gold.
The gap widens further when the Worlds’ €8,000 is set against the overall prizes at the Grand Tours. The Tour de France winner receives €500,000, while the Giro d’Italia champion pockets €265,000 including the organiser’s bonus. At the Vuelta a España, the winner takes €150,000, a sum that recently went to Enric Mas.
Brandon McNulty, world champion in Montréal.
The true value of the rainbow jersey for McNulty
So, the championship that grants one of cycling’s most important sporting honours is far from the one offering the biggest paycheck. The Worlds’ value lies elsewhere, tied far more to prestige than to the amount printed on the winner’s cheque.
Winning the Worlds offers something no other victory can match in quite the same way: a full year in the world champion’s jersey. Brandon McNulty can race all season as the reigning world champion, wearing the rainbow bands at every start and turning each appearance into a direct nod to his title.
That recognition also carries historical weight. McNulty’s name is now forever linked to the Montréal 2026 edition and to one of the most prestigious titles in professional cycling. So, while €8,000 may seem modest compared to other prizes on the calendar, the impact of becoming world champion goes far beyond that number.
Indirect value of rainbow jersey
The rainbow bands can also have financial consequences for the rider himself. A world title can translate into various direct and indirect revenues that are not included in the race’s official prize. These include potential contract upgrades, team bonuses, higher-value sponsorship deals, or invitations to criteriums and exhibition races.
For McNulty, then, the €8,000 represents only the official prize for winning the Worlds. The real impact of taking the rainbow jersey can extend across the following season and influence several income streams for the champion.
Cycling thus leaves a curious paradox in the wake of the American’s triumph in Montréal: the sport’s most prestigious jersey is not the one that pays its winner the most. McNulty departs with €8,000 for the victory, but also with a title he can display for a year and that already forms part of his sporting legacy.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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