Only three non-European riders had previously become World Champions - Brandon McNulty joined the likes of Armstrong and Lemond in Montréal
Cycling
Since the creation of the World Championships, European dominance has been overwhelming, with only three men born outside the continent conquering the rainbow jersey in the men's elite road race until this year. Brandon McNulty has become the fourth.
Greg Lemond and Lance Armstrong came before McNulty when it comes to their success at the World Championships, Australia completes a roll that features one of the standout riders of his generation and one of the few cyclists to win both the Tour de France and the Worlds in their careers.
They are all different. LeMond was a complete rider, ahead of his time; Armstrong reached the rainbow jersey as one of America’s top prospects before building a career around the Grand Tours; Evans did it after becoming a global reference in mountain bike.
Their victories also unfolded on very different stages and in contrasting race scenarios. But they all share one remarkable trait: from outside Europe, they broke a hegemony that for decades made the Worlds almost exclusive territory for the major European cycling powers.
Greg LeMond: the pioneer, blazing a trail
Greg LeMond was one of the first great American riders able to go toe to toe with Europe’s elite. Born in Lakewood, California, he developed an exceptionally complete skill set, with the ability to shine in classics, Grand Tours, and time trials. His climbing talent and strength against the clock made him particularly hard to beat.
His first rainbow came in Altenrhein in 1983, when he was still very young. LeMond prevailed in a race marked by a fierce tempo and a finale in which he exploited his attributes to overcome his rivals. That triumph made the American the first road world champion born outside Europe.
The title was no one-off. LeMond reclaimed the Worlds six years later, in Chambéry, in 1989, in a race that confirmed his ability to deliver at the highest level across different scenarios. The American again used his high-speed engine and superb endurance to win on French soil.
The 1983 rainbow also opened an unprecedented chapter for American cycling. LeMond proved that a rider born across the Atlantic could become world champion and later win the Tour de France. The UCI itself notes that he is among the riders who won the Tour while wearing the rainbow jersey.
Lance Armstrong in the rainbow jersey with Motorola
Lance Armstrong, a precocious rainbow
Lance Armstrong was born in Plano, Texas, and arrived in professional cycling after first excelling in triathlon. His explosiveness and physical capacity allowed him to rise quickly and become one of America’s brightest prospects in the early nineties.
In 1993 he won the road Worlds in Oslo at just 21. That victory made him one of the youngest world champions in history and extended the American presence in a competition traditionally dominated by Europeans. The UCI recalls that Armstrong became the youngest world champion from 1993 until Remco Evenepoel in 2022.
The Norwegian race had added weight given the American’s age. Armstrong was not yet the Grand Tour figure he would later become, but an explosive, aggressive rider able to handle demanding courses. His win in Oslo was, at that moment, confirmation that the United States had found another contender for the rainbow.
Cadel Evans, from MTB to road gold
Cadel Evans represents a very different story. Born in Katherine, in Australia’s Northern Territory, he spent his early years in the Aboriginal community of Barunga and began his sporting path far from Europe’s roads. Before becoming one of the premier stage-race specialists, he was a leading figure in mountain bike.
His definitive move to the road turned him into one of the most complete riders of his generation. Evans stood out for his climbing, resilience, and consistency, qualities that kept him in the fight for Grand Tours for years. Before the Worlds he had already shown his level with numerous high finishes at the Tour de France.
The rainbow arrived in 2009, in Mendrisio, at an especially demanding Worlds. Evans prevailed in a race defined by toughness and cumulative fatigue, proving that his climbing and endurance could also make him world champion. His triumph was the first by an Australian in the elite men’s road race.
The world title became one of the great milestones of a career that peaked two years later with his victory at the 2011 Tour de France. Evans thus established himself as one of the most complete riders of his era and as the third and, to date, last male road world champion born outside Europe to appear in the official palmarès.
Brandon McNulty on the podium of the 2026 Montreal World Championships
Brandon McNulty, the new addition
In 2026, Brandon McNulty has added his name to this list. Over 30 years since Armstrong's rainbow jersey, the North American nation has once again reached the top of the sport and the rainbow jersey has been attributed to a rider who was not born in Europe.
The Arizona native is part of UAE Team Emirates - XRG and entered the race as one of the outsiders to take the win. In the absence of his trade teammate Tadej Pogacar, the race became more tactical than what it would otherwise.
In Montréal, close to home, the Americans almost appeared to have a home advantage; with Quinn Simmons and Matteo Jorgenson also putting in astounding performances to complete the USA's masterclass.
McNulty won with a solo attack that came with just over 30 kilometers to go, then holding off a group including the likes of Mathieu van der Poel, Isaac del Toro, Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment