'Underestimated and the numbers to prove people wrong': How Team USA upset the favourites at Worlds
"Number, numbers, numbers" - McNulty, Michael Creed and Riley Sheehan explain the team effort behind the American victory in Montréal
Mike McNulty, a rider from Team USA, won the world championship in Montréal, marking the first elite men's road title for the United States since 1993. Despite being favored, the team was not considered underdogs by their sports director Michael Creed, who was content with being underestimated and proving people wrong. The team featured three protected leaders and five experienced domestiques, all of whom were top-tier athletes.
Creed's strategy focused on ensuring that enough riders were in contention to give the team various options throughout the race. McNulty's victory came after Simmons led the pack, allowing McNulty and Jorgenson to play off his presence. When the race came back together, McNulty took his chance, capitalizing on the fact that every acceleration by his rivals risked bringing another strong American closer to the front.
McNulty's smooth riding style made him difficult to read, but the speed of his rivals left many too exhausted to commit fully to the chase. The team's familiarity with each other and their long-term commitment to winning the championship played a significant role in McNulty's success.
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