SerpApi.Org
Former US champion Brandon McNulty’s preparations for the Tour de France TT took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when he was brake tested by a car while traveling to the stage start.
UAE Emirates-XRG team manager Mauro Gianetti revealed the incident while speaking to TNT Sports.
“He was just coming to the start with the bike. One car was a little bit upset behind him. We don’t know why,” he said. “Then he overpassed Brandon, and he stopped the car. Unfortunately, of course, Brandon crashed on the car.”
Fortunately McNulty was not badly hurt and was able to start his time trial.
“Apparently it’s nothing so big and all good, but it was not nice,” he said. “It was a car from the public.”
McNulty was duly able to start his TT. That is currently in progress at the time of writing, with the American riding solidly.
He is a key support rider for race leader Tadej Pogačar, and so may have to hold something in reserve in the TT.
Meanwhile Netcompany Ineos rider Thymen Arensman had his own pre-race complication, arriving over ten seconds late for the TT start.
That became a big factor when he scorched around the course and finished the test just five seconds off the provisional best time, costing him a chance in the hot seat and potentially a big stage result.
