McNulty takes GP Montreal ahead of Pogacar as UAE equal 85-win record

The 2025 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal was the 14th edition of the Canadian World Tour race and the second of the the Canada double header in 2025 after Julian Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on September 12, with Tadej Pogačar having his worst result in a one-day race in three years. 

The long old drag around the Montreal circuit began with a traditional breakaway going clear with 7 riders originally going clear with them being joined shortly after by a group of 9 riders. The most notable name's within the breakaway was Jan Tratnik (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) and Mauro Schmid (Jayco Alula).

Team UAE Emirates - XRG were clear that the break was not to be given a high advantage, as riders like Nils Politt worked on the front of the peloton to tee up the the guaranteed attack of the defending champion Pogačar later in the race.

UAE continued to chip away at the peloton as riders continued to be flung out the back, with the aforementioned breakaway of the day brought back. 

With three laps to go, the race well and truly lit up with UAE sending Brandon McNulty on the offensive with his compatriot Quinn Simmons. Shortly after, the world champion made his move to join the head of the race forming a quartet with Simmons, McNulty and Louis Barre with just over 30 kilometres left of the race.

What remained of the peloton sat around 30 seconds down as riders attempted to join the party at the front of the race, but it was becoming more and more unlikely.

With 22.5km to go, the inevitable Pogačar attack occurred with a seated acceleration. He eased away from McNulty and Simmons, ever so similar to his attack on the Côte de La Redoute in spring.

Heading into the final 15km, Pogačar eased up and waited for his teammate McNulty and the UAE teammates worked well together heading a gap of just under 30 seconds over Simmons behind and that was built upon thanks to the work of Pogačar with McNulty holding the wheel of his UAE teammate.

As soon as McNulty got to the wheel of Pogačar it looked all the likely that he would win the race and it became a reality as McNulty celebrated in arms with Pogačar to take UAE's 85th victory of the season.