Race news

Brandon McNulty struck by motorist ahead of Tour time trial

The American suffered a crash following his recon of stage 16 to Thonon-les-Bains, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager Mauro Gianetti explaining that he was struck by a motorist who overtook him and then braked abruptly in front of him.

Brandon McNulty Tour de France 2026
Cor Vos

Brandon McNulty crashed when he was struck by a motorist as he rode to the start of the stage 16 time trial at the Tour de France in Évian-les-Bains.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager Mauro Gianetti suggested that McNulty’s crash had been the result of a road rage incident. The American was riding on a public road to the start when he was overtaken by a car that then reportedly braked suddenly in front of him.

“He was just coming to the start with a bike, and one car was a little bit upset behind him, we don’t know why,” Gianetti told TNT Sports. “He overtook Brandon and he stopped the car and unfortunately Brandon he crashed into the car.” 

Gianetti confirmed that McNulty did not sustain any lasting injuries and that he will start Tuesday’s time trial as normal. His start time is: 16.40 CET.

“Apparently, it’s nothing so big and it’s all good, but it was not nice,” said Gianetti, who added that the car was not linked to any member of the Tour caravan.  “It was a car from the public, we don’t know.”

The Athletic has reported that the incident took place while McNulty was riding back towards the start of Tuesday’s stage after performing a recon of the 26.1km course to Thonon-les-Bains.

McNulty currently lies 19th overall, and he has played a key role in yellow jersey Tadej Pogačar’s support cast in the high mountains of this Tour. Pogačar enters the final week with a lead of five minutes over Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), while UAE’s Isaac del Toro lies third at 5:58.

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