# ‘I guess miracles happen’: How Brandon McNulty became the United States’ first world champion in 33 years

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-28 04:40 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Brandon McNulty has ended a 33-year drought for the United States by becoming the first American world champion in over three decades.

## Intelligence Brief
This achievement marks a significant milestone for American cycling, as McNulty now wears the rainbow jersey, a symbol reserved for the reigning world champion. The victory represents a shift in the athlete's role, as he has spent much of his career as a trusted lieutenant for other leaders in the peloton. Coverage from Cycling Weekly emphasizes the relationship between McNulty and his teammate, Tadej Pogačar.


The reporting highlights the supportive dynamic within their team, specifically noting that McNulty has historically operated in a supporting capacity. To understand the context of this win, the coverage points to McNulty's position as a key ally to Pogačar. Looking forward, the coverage suggests a potential change in team dynamics and leadership.


McNulty has joked about the possibility of Tadej Pogačar riding in support of him on certain days in the future. As the new holder of the rainbow jersey, the focus will be on how McNulty manages his status as world champion and how the team structure adapts to accommodate a leader who was previously a trusted lieutenant.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| cyclingweekly.com | 'Maybe Tadej will have to ride for me some days': Pogačar's trusted lieutenant takes his turn in rainbow | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwJBVV95cUxNMFVvS0xnVFloeWJWNEd5MDd5WHNHeUF5TkQ3MGs1S2VFWFA0VWNEd0RyaGpEajhOalRGd3d1b3cybVdOZzNrYWF5cGtNLXU3ekJqa3h1Tk40QWNJV3hEenRkOFZ5UVdDNXU4cW15S3VLU3hNSHlDcXpzY1VYbVBZVWU3Y25vT3NKenFHYzFTWVFTOXBhLTZ4VVNvQ3FMYmhYWHoyOERzQUIxdWx2bmFabmRNeU4wSWdDUDl5Sy1fNVg0ZzcwNGpaSk85QllGY0h0OVc2SjFuZHdYOGRxYlRlMVdnTFFQMHp3YnpWVWJ2emFGYTdmSUtnUlJfSkpNbDR5VHBmaTJEaw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-28/i-guess-miracles-happen-how-brandon-mcnulty-became-the-united-states-first*