From Bergamo 2023 to the most coveted jersey in cycling. Brandon McNulty was the smartest and strongest when it mattered most in a gruelling 2026 World Championships, as some of the biggest names in the sport fought themselves to exhaustion. The ‘Arizona Express’ reached its ultimate destination just across the border in Canada.

A three-time Giro d’Italia starter and stage winner three seasons ago, McNulty – 4th just seven days ago in the World Championships time trial – pulled off one of his trademark moves, an unexpected attack with around thirty kilometres to go, prevailing over the very elite of the peloton. Mathieu Van der Poel (3rd, bronze) had attacked from distance alongside Wout van Aert, while Michael Matthews (2nd, silver) threw everything into the race, drawing on all the experience of his 36 years. Tom Pidcock (7th), meanwhile, launched a series of late attacks that put a superb Team USA under real pressure, with Matteo Jorgenson and Quinn Simmons working as luxury domestiques in support of McNulty.

Not even Isaac del Toro – 5th, once again just off the podium as in the time trial – or Paul Seixas, hampered by cramps, could hold back the unstoppable desire of a disbelieving McNulty. A year ago he was celebrating in Montréal, at the city’s WorldTour Grand Prix, hand in hand with Tadej Pogacar, magnanimous towards a teammate who always works for him. Now, 378 days later, the Slovenian will surely have celebrated in front of the TV at home as the rainbow jersey stays in the UAE family.

The circle that began with that Corsa Rosa victory, with Bergamo’s Città Alta providing the backdrop after a remarkable 190-kilometre breakaway, could be completed in just two weeks’ time, when McNulty is expected to line up at Il Lombardia presented by Crédit Agricole. The rainbow jersey will shine again in the ‘Race of the Falling Leaves’.