Brandon McNulty on second win of the season: "I am pleased to be able to turn this work into victories"

UAE Team Emirates have had a brilliant day, seeing Tadej Pogacar conquer the UAE Tour, but over in Europe also winning the Faun-Ardèche classic as Brandon McNulty stormed to a dominant win in the hilly race.

“I’m really happy. It was a tough day, I had an aggressive approach to the race, especially on the last two climbs, launching myself into the attack," McNulty said after the finish. On a highly disputed race, the favouritism fell on the likes of Primoz Roglic and Julian Alaphilippe who had a route perfectly suited to their likes. However, likely as they are eyeing future races, both Jumbo-Visma and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team gave freedom to their other climbers, with both pre-race favourites switching off.

After the duo attacked with just under thirty kilometers to go, things calmed down and a group including Kuss and Vansevenant took the head of the race. However, it also included a rival rider, as Brandon McNulty infiltrated the group and then dropped his rivals on the ascent to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps with 24 kilometers to go, going on to a solo win similar to that he did at Trofeo Calvia.

"My start to the season has been very good so far with some nice results. I knew that I had done quality training and I am pleased to be able to turn this work into victories. It is the second one-day race that I win this year; I am pleased because these are races where I can go all out, but I’m keen to get stuck into the stage races now too," McNulty concluded.

The young American rider has had a wildly successful start to the season, which also includes podium places at the Volta ao Algarve and Trofeo Pollença. Tomorrow he will be at the Drome Classic, before eyeing Paris-Nice where he will be entering as one of the main favourites on a star-studded startlist.