Cycling Sensation: Brandon McNulty's Dominant Season Continues with Cro Race Victory

Brandon McNulty, the rising star of professional cycling, has once again proven his mettle by securing a commanding victory in the Cro Race in Croatia. The US national time trial champion's impressive performance not only showcased his solo strength but also solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with in the sport.

Unleashing Dominance on the Cro Race

Conquering the Challenging Conditions

Despite the challenging weather conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds, McNulty displayed his resilience and adaptability. The stage was shortened due to the inclement weather, but the UAE Team Emirates rider seized the opportunity and made his move with 41 kilometers remaining. Initially joined by Ineos Grenadiers rider Kim Heiduk, McNulty soon dropped his companion and powered ahead, showcasing his solo strength.

The chasing group behind him gave it their all, but McNulty's sheer determination and impressive form proved too much for them to overcome. He crossed the finish line a remarkable 36 seconds ahead of the pack, with his teammate Igor Arrieta taking the bunch sprint for second place, securing a one-two finish for the team.

The tough conditions meant that the general classification time was taken at the entrance of the finish circuit, 11.5 kilometers from the line. This played to McNulty's advantage, as he now finds himself 30 seconds clear of Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti Kometa) in the overall standings.

Solidifying the Lead

With three stages remaining, McNulty is confident in his ability to defend the lead until the end of the Cro Race. The upcoming stages present their own challenges, including a hors categorie climb cresting 55 kilometers from the line and a 2-kilometer ramp up to the finish on Friday. However, the Arizonan rider remains optimistic, stating, "I'm really happy with the race and hopefully we can defend the lead until the end."

McNulty's success in the Cro Race is just the latest in a string of impressive performances this season. The 24-year-old has already amassed an enviable tally of 15 career wins, with eight of those coming in 2024 alone, making it his best year yet as a professional cyclist.

A Season of Dominance

McNulty's season began with a victory on stage four of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in February, where he also took over the race lead. He successfully defended that lead the following day to secure the overall victory, the second and biggest stage race win of his career.

The young American's success continued throughout the year, with victories at the UAE Tour time trial, the GP Miguel Indurain, and a trio of time trial wins at the Tour de Romandie, the US national championships, and the opening day of the Vuelta a España.

McNulty's latest triumph in the Cro Race is the 77th season success for his team, UAE Team Emirates, which is the most successful squad in the peloton. The team's dominance is further highlighted by their commanding lead in the UCI world rankings, with 3,4855.6 points, far ahead of the next best team, Visma-Lease a Bike, with 19,877 points.

With Tadej Pogačar, the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and world championship winner, contributing a substantial portion of those points, McNulty's fine end-of-season form could add even more to the team's impressive tally in the days and weeks ahead.