Team Emirates-XRG rider McNulty takes second at Coppa Agostoni

Team Emirates-XRG rider McNulty takes second at Coppa Agostoni

ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Recently crowned world champion Brandon McNulty finished second at the Coppa Agostoni on Sunday, in only his second race since claiming the rainbow jersey at the Italian race.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider adopted an aggressive approach, as he had done a day earlier at the Giro dell’Emilia, where he placed 10th.

In Lissone, McNulty formed part of an elite leading group that broke clear of the peloton with 93 kilometres remaining. He then established himself at the front of the race with 80km still to race.

The chasing peloton was unable to close the gap. The outcome was decided among the leaders, culminating in a six-rider sprint in which McNulty secured second place with a well-timed bike throw.

McNulty said: “For sure it is still settling in, with the jersey and everything. Today was good, I am still a bit fatigued from last week and also yesterday I went super hard. It was a really hard race and I was happy to be there in the final, and then sprints can go one way or the other, so I am happy with the efforts today.

“It is super special [being the world champion]. I feel like the races pass faster, I don’t really think about kilometres to go anymore. Hopefully that continues! 

"Perhaps it will wear off and I will go back to suffering, but the last two days have been so special. Everybody has been very supportive and I have had so many people come up to me to congratulate me, so I want to say thank you to everybody.”