10/03/2022

Paris-Nice: Brandon McNulty takes solo win on stage five

UAE Team Emirates keep their early season form as they get their 14th win of the season. At Paris-Nice, Brandon McNulty benefited from the liberty he had over loosing several minutes in the last few days and got himself in the breakaway, easily taking the win after attacking on the main climb of the day.

The breakaway had a favourable day today and as expected a strong group went up the road. Inbetween these there were the riders that would fight for the stage win, as in the peloton there was never much of an interest by Jumbo-Visma to chase, and no-one committed to making the race hard. Ruben Fernandez (Cofidis), Lauren Pichon (Arkéa Samsic), Valentin Madouas (Groupama - FDJ), Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar Team), Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Soudal), Owain Doull (EF Education - EasyPost), Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies), Franck Bonnamour (B&B Hotels-KTM) and Michael Morkov (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) made the front of the race. 18 riders didn't take to the start of the stage which somewhat increased the chances of a breakaway succeeding.

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The peloton let the gap grow up to six minute, with Fernandez briefly taking the provisional race lead as he started the day 4:34 minutes back. The group collaborated well until the Col de la Mure where the race exploded very quick. Stage favourite Brandon McNulty attacked from the base of the climb and had no response, the American was by far the strongest climber on the day out of the group and his win was never in doubt taking into account the gap he build.

The American attacked with 38 kilometers and took a dominant win. 1:58 minutes later Franck Bonnamour arrived at the finish in second place alongside Matteo Jorgenson.

In the peloton, the main climb was ridden in a relatively calm pace. At the final hilltop there were some moves, as Pierre Latour and Daniel Martínez sparked a series of attacks, but the GC favourites cancelled each other out and arrived at the finish together just under 6 minutes later.