Brandon McNulty could be the winning difference for Pogačar at the 2026 Tour de France: 'I'm back in shape'

Tadej Pogačar starts the 2026 Tour de France as the overwhelming favourite. But what is it actually like to ride for the world champion? American Brandon McNulty, one of his most trusted lieutenants, has offered a small but revealing glimpse. It says plenty about both men.

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) spoke to Escape Collective at the Tour de Suisse last week, where Pogačar's dominance could be seen from the moon. But Pogačar wasn't the only one warming up for the Tour de France in Switzerland. McNulty also impressed in his role as key mountain domestique. His pace-setting on the opening stage helped shred the field and launch Pogačar's enormous long-range solo win. A top-10 ride in the stage 4 time trial confirmed that his own legs are good.

McNulty explains what it’s like to work for such a prolific talent: “If he says to ride, you can assume he's probably going to win the stage.” That Pogačar is in shape is not in question. His incredible power numbers from the Tour de Suisse confirm that, let alone his 2026 results so far.

That McNulty is in such good form is a huge bonus for the team. "All spring was rocky, and then I ended up having a virus. I found out after Basque Country," McNulty told Escape Collective. "From there, three weeks off, and then from May 2 or 3 I was able to start riding, and then just training full for the Tour, and I've trained well, and came back well, so I'm back in shape."

McNulty is far from a one-dimensional rider. He has the ability to set Pogačar up for success from the very first stage. A former junior world time-trial champion, he has the raw power to matter in the team time trial that opens the race in Barcelona. A huge plus for Pogačar starting the race on the front foot.

But of course, his real added value comes in the high mountains. In recent Tours, McNulty has regularly been among the last men to stay with Pogačar deep into the big climbs. And the 2026 route is full of them! Pogačar and McNulty will have to tackle eight mountain stages, including summit finishes at Gavarnie-Gèdre, Plateau de Solaison and Orcières-Merlette, and a brutal back to back ascent of Alpe d'Huez.

Despite the prevailing opinion that Pogačar could win alone, he will of course have a team of superstars around him. McNulty is expected to line up alongside Isaac del Toro, Tim Wellens, Pavel Sivakov and Nils Politt, giving Pogačar the kind of support he needs to win his fourth yellow jersey.

If the Tour de Suisse was the audition, McNulty passed it comfortably. In just over a week’s time, the real work will begin. Knowing that your team leader will more than likely finish the job after you’ve done your bit just makes that work a little bit easier.

UAE Team Emirates XRG are due to release their 2026 Tour de France team any day now.