Brandon McNulty targeting 'realistic' top-10 at the Giro d'Italia
The former Rally Cycling rider impressed on his Grand Tour debut last autumn
Brandon McNulty says he is "hopeful" of finishing in the top 10 of the upcoming Giro d'Italia, as he looks to become the latest American general classification contender.
The 22-year-old came to the attention of the wider cycling public at the 2020 edition of the Italian Grand Tour when, with seven stages remaining, he shot up to fourth on GC after finishing third in a 34km time trial.
UAE-Team Emirates' young starlet faded in the Dolomites, eventually finishing 15th, but his promise alerted American fans to a new GC hope.
"I think it's realistic," he said when asked about his chances of a top 10 in the forthcoming Giro. "It'll be quite tough, but I'm hopeful I can do it.
"I was good last year and the team planned that I will go back. It's good that I will have opportunities this year there versus the other two Grand Tours. It won't be such a free role and I'm happy with that."
There are just 38 time trial kilometres in the Giro, somewhat of a low figure for McNulty, who sees himself in the same mould as Tom Dumoulin and Geraint Thomas.
"That's what I am: a time triallist who can climb easily," he said.
"For me, it's always the best strategy to do well in the TTs and then keep on improving my climbing ability to defend myself on the big days."
Building up to May at the Volta a Catalunya, McNulty finished fourth in the Catalan race's time trial and is in confident spirits just over a month out from the Italian test.
"It's been good to test my legs this week," he added. "I am still missing that kick for the finals but I am building well for the season.
"It was a very nice TT for me and now the important thing is to build on these results.
"I came into this race feeling good but obviously the Pyrenees test the form.
"You always get the final two to five percent in the races so from here it's about recovering and building up to the Giro. There's still a little way to go."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and feature writing across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in a number of places, but mostly in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Build it and they will come: the rise of Zwift
We tracked down the virtual riding platform's top brass to find out how it all began, and where it's going
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Absorb the world around you and let your mind wander' - you may find that it's more addictive than data
Leaving the bike computer at home when heading out for a ride could help reboot your cycling
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
'I pulled it off and turned everything around' - Brandon McNulty on the ride that changed him
US star grabbed his first ever Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UAE Team Emirates power to team time trial victory on stage three of Paris-Nice
Team take advantage of more clement weather to put Finn Fisher-Black into yellow jersey
By Adam Becket Published
-
'He’s making history': Paris-Nice reacts to Strade Bianche masterclass from Tadej Pogačar
'He can still surprise us all the time’ João Almeida on Pogačar's performance in Tuscany
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘He’s learning fast’: Isaac del Toro, the peloton’s ‘best neo-pro’ triumphant at Tour Down Under
The Mexican has had raced just twice at WorldTour level, and taken his debut victory at the second opportunity
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar and UAE-Team Emirates angry with motorbike but remain optimistic of taking Tour de France yellow
It's proving almost impossible to separate the two at the top, and a close motorbike on stage 14 didn't help Pogačar's intentions
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard takes yellow at Tour de France: ‘It would be better to have two minutes than 25 seconds’
Reigning champion in yellow jersey but Tadej Pogačar strikes back
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Adam Yates: Going one-two with your twin brother at the Tour de France, not many can say that
Adam beats Simon Yates in Bilbao, but says his brother will be a 'pain in the ass' in the coming weeks
By Adam Becket Published