Alan McCormack competed in the men’s road race at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games on the hilly Mont-Royal Olympic circuit, remaining with the main bunch but missing the crucial break in the sixth lap before gradually losing touch and being lapped in the eleventh circuit, forcing his retirement.

Like his teammate Oliver McQuaid, McCormack had prepared well by competing in international events, but team manager John Lackey concluded that a season of continental racing was essential preparation for any future Olympic campaign.