The first test of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships left Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates XRG) just 12 seconds short of a medal, and gave fellow American Artem Schmidt (Netcompany INEOS) encouragement ahead of the road race. For both, the time trial offered reasons for optimism, even if Sunday's challenge will demand far more than a strong, sustained effort.McNulty finished fourth as Belgian's Remco Evenepoel claimed his fourth consecutive time trial title, briefly occupying the second-place hot seat before the final contenders pushed him out of the medals.The margin was narrow, and his immediate reaction was satisfaction with a ride that confirmed his condition."12 seconds from the medal is not bad," McNulty said. "Im happy with the ride."I think it showed the work was paying off and, yeah, hopefully I can keep getting better."For 22-year-old Schmidt, the challenge lay in deciding where to push and where to hold something back. Speaking to Cycling Weekly before he knew his finishing position, 18th, he was pleased with how he had managed the effort."I think I left mostly everything out there," he said. "It's super easy to lose momentum with the potholes, and trying to gain that momentum back is super tough."The next task is turning those individual efforts into a collective performance in the road race. McNulty believes the Americans have the strength to make an impact, describing the squad as "the best team I think the U.S. have had."In 2025, McNulty crossed the line first here to win the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montral. Compatriot Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) finished third that day. On their returns to the same race earlier this month, McNulty and Simmons placed third and fourth, respectively. Something, McNulty said, he can take confidence from. "I think there's a chance. If we do everything perfect, to have a good shot at a medal," he said. But he is very realistic about the opposition, naming the likes of Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) among the fiercest competition."We have our work cut out, but I think we have a good team to race aggressively," he said."There are a ton of strong guys that I dont think weve ever really beaten before, so its going to be hard," he said. "But I think we have numbers to at least play our cards well."Schmidt expects to contribute in support."The road race is a different type of beast than the time trial," Schmidt said."But I have a good threshold and good one-hour power to help the guys as much as I can."For McNulty, fourth place provides a timely indication of form before returning to roads where he has already won. "I love the circuit, so Im excited," he said. "But itll be a hard day."