Brandon McNulty Aids Tadej Pogačar’s Spectacular Milan-San Remo Triumph

Bassyonni

Published: March 22, 2026 1:57 PM ET

Brandon McNulty Aids Tadej Pogačar’s Spectacular Milan-San Remo Triumph

In a thrilling display of teamwork at the Milan-San Remo race, Brandon McNulty played a pivotal role in facilitating Tadej Pogačar’s victory. This marked McNulty’s debut at this prestigious spring classic, while Pogačar made his sixth appearance as a key contender. The race unfolded over a grueling 298 kilometers filled with challenges and intense racing.

Race Overview

The event commenced with an opening 55 kilometers covering the route from Pavia to San Remo. Riders initially took a conservative approach before heading towards the Ligurian Coast. However, misfortune struck early when UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Jan Christen crashed, colliding with Orluis Aular of Movistar. Both riders were forced to withdraw from the competition.

Brandon McNulty’s Challenge

McNulty provided steadfast support for Pogačar amidst the chaos.
He highlighted the difficulties posed by headwinds and the early crash during his interview.

Following Christen’s crash, the race intensified. UAE Team Emirates-XRG, along with Alpecin-Premier Tech and Pinarello-Q36.5, worked to maintain control over a nine-rider breakaway. McNulty described the team’s strategy as they approached the Tre Capi: “We already were down one, but the guys went crazy through all the Capi.”

Course Obstacles and Recovery

As they neared the Cipressa climb, disaster struck again when Pogačar fell in a crash involving several competitors, including Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. With about 32 kilometers left in the race, Pogačar managed to quickly remount his bike despite injuries and rips in his jersey.

Pogačar’s Comeback

Pogačar accelerated back into the race after regaining his position near the base of the Cipressa.
His swift recovery showcased his skills as he surged back through the peloton.

With only Tom Pidcock able to keep pace, Pogačar approached the final climb of the Poggio with renewed confidence. Post-race, he acknowledged the contributions of teammates Florian Vermeersch and Felix Großschartner for helping him regroup after the crash. McNulty and Isaac del Toro were instrumental in providing further support as the race neared its climax.

Conclusion

This Milan-San Remo served as a testament to the resilience and teamwork within the UAE Team Emirates-XRG. As McNulty reflected on his experience, he expressed pride in assisting Pogačar during a challenging race, highlighting their prior success together at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. The duo’s collaboration in Milan-San Remo was a clear demonstration of their commitment to achieving greatness in cycling.