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 10 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
-
-
Skip the gatorade, nonalcoholic beer may be as good as, or even better than, sports drinks
Dry January may be over but you may want to keep stocking those nonalcoholic beers — for fitness sake.
-
Rider hangs from bridge after huge pile-up at Etoile de Bessèges, stage neutralised
Valentin Ferron escapes with minor injuries as others taken to hospital
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
-
From Grand Tour victories to gold medals: The nine best signings of 2022
We look back at the signings that made the biggest impacts during this year's season
-
Alpecin-Deceuninck confirm Jay Vine move to UAE Team Emirates
The Australian previously hinted that he'd remain with the Belgian team in 2023
-
Tadej Pogačar is still the best rider in the world, right?
16 wins, a third monument, but second at the Tour de France sums up his 2022
-
Adam Yates leaves Ineos Grenadiers for UAE Team Emirates
British rider agrees three year deal with new team
-
Remco Evenepoel wins maiden grand tour at Vuelta a España
Juan Sebastián Molano takes a surprise final stage win after a messy sprint in Madrid
-
‘I was rubbing shoulders with Nibali and Valverde’ - Oliver Knight gets starstruck at Vuelta a Burgos
UAE Team Emirates rider makes big step up in key race before the Vuelta a España
-
Tadej Pogačar set to skip Vuelta a España to focus on end of season goals
UAE Team Emirates confirm Slovenian will miss Spanish grand-tour to concentrate on other targets
