"I am not properly prepared for it" - USA's medal chances at Worlds take a hit as McNulty confirms absence due to fatigue

Brandon McNulty has been a standout rider this season, but in the closing months of it he is finding difficulties managing form and fatigue, and will not be riding the World championships later this month where he could be an outsider.

McNulty told Velonews this week that “I am not properly prepared for it, and I am feeling really fatigued. I won’t be racing. It’s better I go home.” After the opening months of the season where McNulty took several wins, the decision comes as a hit to USA's chances to score a medal at the Worlds.

McNulty dominantly conquered Trofeo Calvia and the Faun-Ardèche Classic early in the year with hilly routes, and also took a stage win at Paris-Nice - aswell as a second place at Volta ao Algarve. He managed to refind his best form in the final week of the Tour de France where on the final two mountain stages he played a role in Tadej Pogacar's offensive tactics, taking himself into a third place at Peyragudes simultaneously.

Whilst Pogacar skipped La Vuelta, the American kept his original schedule and has been riding it. However he's been absent from the front, never in contention of a stage but also facing difficulties to assist Juan Ayuso and João Almeida. The American cites fatigue, and is quite possibly wrapping off his season after the end of the three-week race.