“That’s probably the one thing we’re missing” – USA Cycling boss pushes for American WorldTour return after Brandon McNulty’s world title

American cycling may be enjoying its greatest generation in history, but USA Cycling Road Director Tanner Putt believes one crucial ingredient is still missing.

Despite Brandon McNulty's World Championship triumph and an increasingly impressive collection of American stars competing at the highest level, the country remains without a race on the men's UCI WorldTour calendar.

McNulty's victory in Montréal last month ended a 33-year wait for an American winner of the elite men's road race world title. Quinn Simmons finished fourth and Matteo Jorgenson eighth, completing an outstanding collective performance that underlined the strength of a national team increasingly capable of challenging cycling's traditional European powers.

The contrast is particularly striking given that the last men's WorldTour race held on American soil was the Tour of California in 2019, and the United States remains absent from the confirmed 2027 calendar.

“That's probably the one thing we're missing,” Putt told Bici.Pro when asked about the importance of bringing WorldTour racing back to the United States. “We used to have the Tour of California, and many of the riders achieving great results today were inspired by that event. We're missing that major event that can inspire people. Perhaps the Tour of California could return, or we could have something like the Tour de Georgia.”

The Tour of California last took place in 2019, when a 20-year-old Tadej Pogacar claimed the overall victory for UAE Team Emirates. Having joined the WorldTour in 2017, the race was suspended ahead of the 2020 season amid financial difficulties and has never returned.

There have been encouraging developments lower down the American calendar, including the return of the Tour of Battenkill and the addition of the Armed Forces Capitol Cup as UCI 1.2 races for 2027. Neither, however, offers the WorldTour-level exposure that Putt wants to see restored.

“Having a race pass through your hometown allows you to reach far more potential young cyclists,” he explained. “There are so many races in Europe, whereas the United States is an enormous country. That makes it difficult for people to get involved in cycling, particularly because we don't have enough professional races.

“In Europe, there's a professional race taking place nearby almost every weekend, sometimes in the very town where someone lives. That's the sort of thing that can encourage young people to take up the sport.”

While major domestic events have disappeared, American riders have increasingly established themselves among the most successful in the international peloton.

Alongside McNulty, Simmons and Jorgenson, Sepp Kuss has won the Vuelta a España, while Kristen Faulkner became Olympic road race champion in Paris in 2024.

Putt, who came through USA Cycling's development system himself before becoming its Road Director in 2023, credits much of that progress to programmes designed to introduce young riders to European racing long before they turn professional.

“It's quite difficult for an American rider to establish themselves professionally in Europe, but the federation has developed European programmes for athletes from as young as 15, and we're still running them today,” he explained. “Many of these riders, including Jorgenson and McNulty, have been involved in those programmes since they were 15. Simmons was also part of the system from a young age, although he initially came through the mountain bike programmes before switching to road cycling.”

Putt also points to the experience of living abroad from an early age, which he believes has helped American prospects develop both as cyclists and as people.

The results of that investment were particularly apparent in Montréal. Putt confirmed that McNulty and Simmons had entered the World Championships as co-leaders, with Jorgenson also entrusted with a leadership role while primarily supporting the pair in the closing stages.

Simmons helped break the race apart before McNulty launched his decisive attack with 33 kilometres remaining, eventually holding off the chasing favourites to win the rainbow jersey.

“I'd say this is probably the best period we've ever had,” Putt said. “We have Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner and now elite road race world champion Brandon McNulty. I think this is the strongest position American cycling has been in for a very long time, perhaps even ever, because it isn't all about one individual. We have an entire generation of riders competing at the highest level.”

There are already promising successors emerging behind that group. Putt singled out under-23 world champion Ashlin Barry as a potential future elite rainbow jersey winner, while Artem Shmidt has also earned selection for the senior national team at just 22.

The Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 will give American cycling another rare opportunity to showcase its leading riders to a home audience, something Putt hopes will encourage greater participation.

“I think hosting the Games in the United States is hugely important, and I hope they'll act as a catalyst for getting more Americans involved in cycling,” he said. “Achieving strong results at Los Angeles 2028 is essential for us. It will allow us to inspire the next generation and continue growing cycling in the United States.”

McNulty's world title and the prospect of a home Olympics have given American cycling two major moments of international exposure within the space of two years. The Tour of California once offered something different: an annual event bringing the world's leading professionals onto American roads, with the opportunity for young riders to watch them race close to home. It is that opportunity Putt wants the next generation to have again.