McNulty has lofty goals for his year in the rainbow jersey: 'It's what is missing from my palmares'
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Follow us on GoogleBrandon McNulty delivered his first victory in the rainbow jersey this weekend, winning the Veneto Classic on Sunday October 18. The first American World Champion in over 30 years will not rest on his laurels, however. McNulty revealed that he has high hopes for next season, with his sights set on one goal in particular.
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McNulty soloed to an impressive World Championship win
Double-edged sword of the rainbow jersey for McNulty
McNulty told L'Équipe that racing with the rainbow bands has come with positives and negatives. He said it was "liberating" to feel able to take greater risks on the attack, and that it boosted his morale as a rider.
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However, he also said he felt there was a pressure to perform. There was widespread discussion about McNulty, who normally domestiques for Tadej Pogačar as part of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG set up, winning the World Championships.
Many people hoped that the American would not have to simply fulfil his team role, and could be given freedom to win his own races in the rainbow jersey as well.
Ambition is at an all-time high for the American
Read more below the photo!
McNulty won his first race as World Champion at the weekend
The 28-year-old from Arizona has one major goal awaiting him in 2027. The rainbow stripes have given him a new and untapped level of ambition.
Whilst he admitted that an overall Grand Tour victory might be beyond him, he was not shy about his goals for the coming season.
"Even just getting on the [final GC] podium would be a lot," he said, "it's such a commitment and so for now, I'm happy to help our leaders Isaac [Del Toro] and Tadej [Pogačar]."
But the happiness to be a team player has not stopped McNulty from having his own dreams: "For me, the main objective would be to win a Tour stage, as that's what is missing from my palmares. That's really what I would like."
McNulty DNFed the 2026 Tour, having fallen ill on stage 18.
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Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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