Brandon McNulty crossed the finish line in Montreal, arms raised, tears streaming. But the first person he found in the crowd wasn’t a coach or a teammate. It was his wife, Summer Moak, who threw her arms around him as an American flag draped over both of them. For the new world champion, the victory was shared with the woman who’s been part of his journey since before he was a household name in cycling.
Who Is Summer Moak?
Summer Moak isn’t just Brandon McNulty’s wife. She’s a cyclist herself, and their love story started on the bike. The two met as teenagers racing in the American junior circuit, long before McNulty became a world champion or a key domestique for Tadej Pogačar.
Moak was born in 1999, making her a year younger than McNulty. While her own racing career has been less high-profile than her husband’s, she’s remained deeply connected to the sport and to the life that comes with it.
A Love Story Built on Two Wheels
The pair’s relationship has been woven into McNulty’s cycling life from the very beginning. When McNulty was deciding his professional future, he turned down offers from WorldTour teams to stay in the United States with Rally Cycling. The reason wasn’t just about his development. It was about staying close to Summer.
They married in late October, three years before McNulty’s world title, in a ceremony in Girona, Spain. Girona is a common home base for professional cyclists, and the couple splits their time between there and McNulty’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.
The “Miracles” Joke
McNulty’s wife has been part of some of his most candid moments. In the days leading up to the World Championships, McNulty admitted he didn’t think he could actually win.
“I joked about it with my wife,” he said. “I knew it might be possible, but it would have taken a miracle.”
That miracle happened. And when it did, Moak was the first person he celebrated with.
What She Means to His Career
Those who know McNulty describe a rider who is quiet, steady, and grounded. Much of that comes from his home life. Journalist Logan Jones-Wilkins, who grew up riding against McNulty in Phoenix, noted that when he sees McNulty training in the Arizona heat, Summer is often right there, following in the car.
The couple shares a love of country music, and their life together is built around the rhythms of the cycling calendar. For a rider who has spent years as a loyal lieutenant to one of the sport’s biggest stars, having a partner who understands the demands of the road has been essential.
The Bottom Line
Brandon McNulty’s world championship victory was the crowning moment of his career. But it was also a shared triumph. Summer Moak, his wife of three years, has been part of his story since they were teenagers racing in the juniors. She was there when he said winning would take a miracle. And she was there when the miracle happened.
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