"The truth is, we haven't spoken much" - Brandon McNulty admits he hasn't had much contact with Tadej Pogacar since World Championships win
Cycling
Brandon McNulty has admitted that he hasn't talked to Tadej Pogacar much since succeeding him as the new world champion. The American capitalised on a golden opportunity to seize the rainbow bands in Montreal back in September as UAE Team Emirates kept the jersey in the team.
The American has been sporting the iconic jersey throughout the October classics as he succeeded Pogacar as the next world champion, and has opened up on what it's been like to have achieved such an impressive goal.
"In the recent end-of-season races, it was definitely a positive change. It's really nice to be able to race in this jersey, and I enjoyed the races where I did. I'm really looking forward to doing it many more times in 2027," McNulty said in an interview with AS and Cyclingnews.
"I've been a professional for a long time. I've never been in the spotlight like this before, that's the reality, and it's not something I particularly enjoy, but I'm handling it well and it's part of our job."
Some say the World Championships jersey can make you a target in the bunch and hinder success. McNulty knows that the jersey doesn't automatically make him a better rider but admits that he got it right on the day that really mattered and on a course he was lucky enough to know well.
Brandon McNulty
McNulty on World Championships
"Winning the World Championship doesn't automatically make you a better rider. I'm still the same rider. It's just that one day everything went perfectly, I had a great performance, and I was able to win the rainbow jersey. It does give you more confidence, but the way you approach races remains the same.
"It's not common to compete in a World Championship on a circuit where you've already raced and won. However, in a World Championship, all the competitors reach a very high level, so yes, it's still a surprise."
McNulty is expected to work in service of Pogacar in various races next year. However, despite an initial message from the Slovenian, the 28-year-old admitted that there hasn't been much contact between them as Pogacar recovers from his Vuelta a Espana injuries.
Tadej Pogacar communication since Worlds victory
McNulty expects the five-time Tour de France winner to come back stronger than ever and thinks that helping him win the yellow jersey again would be extra fulfilling in the rainbow jersey.
"The truth is, we haven't spoken much. He sent me a message saying he was very happy for me. From what I know and can understand, he will come back from his injury at his best. He's always shown he can reach that level. I have complete confidence that he'll return exactly where he left off.
Read also
"I always thought stage races were my path because I grew up wanting to be a GC contender and I have good time trial skills. However, the high mountains are sometimes difficult for me."
He added: In 2027 I want to do the Tour de France again because it's something special; wearing the rainbow jersey will be incredible, and trying to win another one with Tadej would be wonderful."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- ❤️Lozza15-11-2026
- The greatest ever is a crazy claim. But in discussions about sport in our local media, among people with no particular interest in cycling, he has been the first person they've thought of when giving examples of exceptional athletes.Hills3315-11-2026
- Urska may be less keen on a cafe if keeping it afloat will fall to her, so maybe just a nice dream!Hills3315-11-2026
- Raise thine hand if the money you have made for retirement slips away on poor investments.Most of us will outlive our financial comforts because we don't have the financial acumen to ensure a comfortable lifelong retirement and that is a statistical fact not my opinion.Many millionaires have pissed their money away or had it taken away by so called conniving "financial advisors".The world of wealth is a dangerous place that most of us will never experience nor appreciate.
Brucegel15-11-2026 - You are interested in Pogi for one reason only, you feel like you are somehow related because you share some vague geographical identity. Other than that you have very little interest in cycling as all your posts show, if it can’t be connected to Pogi you have nothing to post. That said, recent activity here shows we are attracting quite a crowd from his region.Jumpyjohn15-11-2026
- From knowing past cycling stars with shops I can only say, think it through. Not only is it mundane after a while but it really doesn’t take you out of the limelight, in the end you’ll be trying to stay away from the place yourself whilst all your fans keep coming for you.Jumpyjohn15-11-2026
- Careful investment? I think he can live very comfortably with zero investments, what does he need more? The world would do well if more people set a target for how much they need or would make them “happy” and then stop worrying about perpetually having to make more.Jumpyjohn15-11-2026
- Yes, Roglic could theoretically have beaten Sepp. Jonas must have had complete confidence that he could come back and win the Vuelta another year. Visma had not allowed Roglic to ride the Tour that year, so his future did not look so bright, despite his narrow Giro win..Hills3315-11-2026
- So far, a good series about riders before my time, even if the text feels AI generated like so much on this site. About the rider, he seems like one of many who are active fan favorites but don’t survive in the stories of cycling, a few decades later - I didn’t really know anything about him and this was a good read, thank you!RidesHills15-11-2026
- A calm, honest documentary, a bit of hagiography but mostly not too much. When he talks about a coffee shop, it aligns with several things in his world - he might want calm, but he does (more than a little bit) have someone near him (his fiancee) who makes sure that things happen the way he expects. Many atheletes have retired only to find out just how much others were taking care of their lives for them. If they work out (I'm old, things happen), I am sure it will take a renegotiation, which is a good thing. I truly enjoyed watching it, seeing him, seeing her, seeing the whole system built around him.RidesHills15-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment