"He can be great 365 days a year across the sprints, mountains, and time trials" - UAEs unsung hero ready to play another key role at 2025 Giro d'Italia

Now 27 years old, Brandon McNulty is really starting to come into the peak years of his career. The American, long-time servant of UAE Team Emirates - XRG has certainly stepped up a level over the last couple of seasons, something McNulty hopes to carry on at the 2025 Giro d'Italia over the coming weeks.

"Brandon is an amazing rider. He has the capacity to win and the capacity to be one of the best teammates," UAE boss Joxean Matxin tells Cycling News, more than content with the performances of McNulty, who is part-way through his sixth season with the team. "He can be great 365 days a year across the sprints, mountains, and time trials. In years past, he has gone to the Giro for the general classification, and he hit his capacity. This year is about enjoying cycling and having less pressure."

That pressure free role is seemingly one that McNulty is thriving in as well. "When I was a younger rider, I went to some camps, and when you don't know better, you compare yourself," says the former Giro d'Italia stage winner himself. "I’ve learned, especially recently, that consistency is something I need – it's just the way I operate."

"Being comfortable kind of leads to where I perform the best. When I find something that works and it's comfortable, it's easy for me to continue growing, versus how some people like new things and discomfort," continues McNulty. "I like to feel at home, within that comfortable environment, where you can do the things you need to create change."

Part of the new generation of American stars, McNulty is also one of the leading lights of modern US cycling. "It's kind of weird to think that because I don't know. I feel like I'm still young, but I guess I am one of the oldest now," he says of this. "I guess Sepp Kuss is our true leader, and then I'm there, but I still feel like I'm just a young kid, kind of."

"Last year was the best year I've ever had," McNulty adds in conclusion. "But I think it was almost going from a breakout result of the Giro kind of thing, to cementing that I can be consistent over the whole year, even if it's not a win or podium or whatnot, but just at least showing myself I can be at a good level from January to October."