McNulty misses time-trial podium by 12 seconds; U.S. staff confident for the elite road race

# What happened in the time trial Brandon McNulty crossed the line in fourth in the elite men's time trial over 39.2km, finishing 12 seconds behind the provisional podium sitter Paul Seixas before Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna ultimately moved him off the podium. McNulty acknowledged that once the two late starters were still to ride, his medal chances were slim, but he called the performance encouraging: 12 seconds, he said, "is not bad."

Artem Shmidt rode his first elite Worlds time trial and finished 19th. Shmidt is young relative to the field and already a two-time U.S. pro time-trial champion at under-23 level. He described the course as technical and bumpy, and said he left most of his effort out on the road.

# Course and conditions that mattered The circuit combined flat sections with technical opening and closing kilometres. Riders faced potholes that disrupted rhythm and momentum. Both McNulty and Shmidt noted the course forced selective power investments rather than a steady threshold effort: corners, uneven pavement and the need to regain speed after holes made pacing harder than on a smooth, flat TT.

McNulty also highlighted that his familiarity with the finishing kilometres—part of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal finale where he's had strong results—wasn't enough to change the overall outcome on a long time trial.

# What the TT says about the road race

McNulty, on his 10th Worlds appearance, stressed team depth and experience. He described the U.S. lineup—eight riders all racing at WorldTour or ProTeam level—as likely the strongest the country has fielded in years. Named riders include Quinn Simmons, Neilson Powless and Sean Quinn. McNulty thinks the squad can use numbers and experience to put riders in winning positions if the team executes.

# Practical implications for the U.S. team

• Fitness: McNulty's near-podium TT shows he is close to the best in a flat, technical effort—useful for late-race solo moves or long pulls.
• Support riders: Shmidt's threshold power gives the team a domestique who can cover moves and sustain efforts over an hour-plus sequence of attacks.
• Tactics: With eight seasoned professionals, the U.S. can assign roles to chase breaks, cover favorites, or set up a rider for a long-range attack, but execution will be critical against nations with established leaders.

# Bottom line McNulty's fourth place in the TT is a narrow miss but a signal that he and the U.S. squad are match-fit and tactically positioned heading into the elite road race. Artem Shmidt's debut adds a rider with one-hour power who can play a supporting role. If the Americans combine form, course knowledge and the numerical advantage McNulty describes, they will be competitive on race day.