UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Brandon McNulty hit by car during recon of Tour de France stage 16 time trial

Brandon McNulty of United States and UAE Team Emirates - XRG competes during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 6 — (Image credit: Getty Images)

US rider Brandon McNulty was hit by a car on his reconnaissance of the Tour de France time trial ahead of stage 16 on Tuesday.

The UAE Emirates-XRG rider was riding the 26km course from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains when a car unrelated to the race knocked him to the floor.

Team principle Mauro Gianetti confirmed McNulty had been knocked off and told The Athletic: “He was just riding his bike with one car behind him. A normal car, we don’t know who they are.

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“And when he (McNulty) overtook, he just stopped the car, and Brandon was unable to prevent himself riding into it.”

Gianetti initially said it was unclear if McNulty would be fit enough to start the time trial this afternoon. He said: “I hope so. I’m still waiting for the confirmation of the doctor.”

He later told broadcaster TNT that McNulty’ injuries were not serious.

The 28-year-old Pheonix native is currently sat 19th on GC and will be expected to be a key domestique for team leader Tadej Pogačar in the mountains in the race’s third week.

When he did eventually complete the time trial he clock a solid time of 35.20 which was good enough for a place inside the top 30 riders.

Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.