Ashlin Barry, an American cyclist with dual American and Canadian citizenship, won the USA's first-ever Under-23 Road Race World Title at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal on his 19th birthday. His victory ended a 33-year wait for a men's world champion from the United States, as the last American elite men's road race title was won by Lance Armstrong in 1993. Barry's win was particularly special as his parents, Canadian Olympian Michael Barry and American Olympian Dede Barry, had also raced and won on the Mont Royal course.
In the U23 Men's 174-kilometer race, Barry made a decisive solo attack with just under 29 kilometers to go, two laps from the finish. He had earlier bridged a 40-second gap to join an early four-rider breakaway. He maintained his lead, winning by 53 seconds over Hector Alvarez of Spain and Jesper Stiansen of Denmark. Ashlin Barry finished with a time of 4:17:35, demonstrating exceptional endurance and strategic racing.
The USA Cycling team for the elite men's road race, including Brandon McNulty, Quinn Simmons, and Matteo Jorgenson, views Tadej Pogačar's absence due to injury as a significant opportunity, potentially their best chance since 1993. While they aim for a medal, sports director Mike Creed noted the strength of competitors like Isaac del Toro, Remco Evenepoel, and Paul Seixas. McNulty, who previously won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, and Simmons, who finished fourth, are seen as strong contenders for the upcoming elite men's road race on September 27.
Historically, the United States has had mixed success at the UCI Road World Championships, with three elite men's road race titles by Greg LeMond (1983, 1989) and Lance Armstrong (1993). In contrast, American elite women have performed strongly, securing two road race titles and eight individual time trial titles, with Chloe Dygert winning in 2019 and 2023. Ashlin Barry's U23 victory adds a significant milestone, being the first in that category for the US.
