Skujiņš finishes 23rd in road world championship, McNulty takes gold

On Sunday, September 27, Montreal hosted the men's elite road race at the UCI Road World Championships, featuring several Latvian riders. Toms Skujiņš crossed the finish line in 23rd place, four minutes and 16 seconds behind the winner.

American Brenden McNulty won the race, covering the distance in six hours, 17 minutes and four seconds. Michael Matthews took silver, while Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel settled for bronze.

Liepiņš spends long stretch in the breakaway

Within the first kilometers, a 16-rider group formed at the front, including Latvia's Emīls Liepiņš. This group maintained a lead over the peloton for much of the race, with the gap fluctuating between under two minutes and as much as eight minutes at its peak. Liepiņš actively contributed to the breakaway's effort, at one point crossing the start/finish line first as the group began the Mont-Royal circuit, and later leading through the third lap.

As the breakaway gradually shrank and the peloton closed in, all riders regrouped into a single pack around the fifth lap. Liepiņš's position subsequently dropped, and he ultimately finished around 100th place.

Battle for the win intensifies

In the second half of the race, the lead changed hands repeatedly, passing through Pavel Sivakov, Slovenia's Jan Gal Glivar, van der Poel and other contenders. A four-rider group later formed at the front, featuring Quinn Simmons, Primož Roglič, van der Poel and Oscar Onley.

With 32 kilometers remaining, McNulty launched a decisive attack, building a gap that grew to 53 seconds entering the final lap. Despite a late chase effort from Switzerland's Mauro Schmid, McNulty held on to claim the world title. Skujiņš rode within the main peloton for most of the race, gradually improving his position in the closing stages.