Full Breakdown
Brandon McNulty Struck by a Car Ahead of Stage 16 Time Trial
7/21/2026, 10:27:56 PM
Incident Before the Stage 16 Time Trial
During the reconnaissance of the 26 km individual time trial from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains, U.S. rider Brandon McNulty was knocked off his bike when a car from the public “brake-checked” him. The vehicle was not part of the race convoy. The collision left McNulty on the ground, but he escaped without serious injury and was able to start the time trial later that afternoon.
McNulty’s Role and Race Position
At the time of the incident, the 28-year-old Phoenix native was 19th overall in the general classification, more than 50 minutes behind team leader Tadej Pogacar. UAE Team Emirates-XRG relies on McNulty as a key domestique for Pogacar in the upcoming Alpine stages, where his climbing support could be decisive.
Team and Official Reactions
After the doctor’s assessment, Gianetti confirmed the injuries were not serious.
Performance After the Crash
McNulty rolled down the start ramp at his scheduled start time and completed the time trial, recording a time of 35 minutes 20 seconds, which placed him inside the top 30 riders for the stage. His ability to start and finish the effort mitigated immediate concerns about his availability for the critical mountain stages that follow.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was just coming to the start with the bike. One car was a little bit upset behind him; we don't know why, and then he overpassed Brandon, and he stopped the car. Unfortunately, of course, Brandon, he crashed on the car,” — Mauro Gianetti, emirates-xrg team principal
