‘It will be bizarre’: Rasmussen questions McNulty’s place in UAE hierarchy after world title

Speaking on Viaplay, the former Danish rider questioned how McNulty’s new status as world champion will fit into a squad where Tadej Pogačar and Isaac del Toro occupy prominent roles.

“It will be extremely uncool to see McNulty in the world champion’s jersey sitting as the third or fourth last rider for UAE, with his pockets full of water bottles, before pulling off and leaving the two stars to fight for the victory with Pogačar and del Toro,” Rasmussen said.

McNulty, however, has built a considerable record of his own in recent seasons. He recorded 10 victories in 2024 and another six in 2025, with his 2025 campaign including overall victory at the Tour de Pologne and Tour de Luxembourg, as well as the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal.

That growing palmarès makes his return to UAE in the rainbow jersey all the more intriguing. McNulty himself was already joking after the race about how his new status might affect the team’s hierarchy.

“I don’t know, maybe he will have to ride for me a few days,” he said with a laugh after the race.

But McNulty was equally quick to acknowledge that becoming world champion is unlikely to completely change the established order within the team.

“At the end of the day, he’s still the best rider,” McNulty said of Pogačar. “So now it’ll be fun riding the front of races and me in the jersey for him.”

That is precisely the scenario Rasmussen believes could produce some unusual images next season. While McNulty may receive greater freedom in selected races, the Dane expects there will still be occasions when the rainbow jersey is riding in support of others.

“If he is lucky, they will put a team at his disposal and maybe he can see if he can win the Tour of Poland in the world champion’s jersey,” Rasmussen said. “Otherwise, it is going to be quite bizarre. He has a very, very big task on his shoulders.”

Asked whether McNulty was a worthy rider to wear the rainbow jersey for the next year, Rasmussen did not dispute the legitimacy of his victory. Instead, he focused on the American’s standing compared with the biggest names in the peloton.

“He is simply not the star that the others are,” Rasmussen said. “He is not a rider who wins many races at the absolute highest level.”

Rasmussen also pointed to McNulty’s Montréal victory in 2025, arguing that Pogačar had played a decisive role in helping his teammate take the win.

“He won Montreal last year, of course, but Pogačar gave him that one,” Rasmussen said. “And if they end up in the same situation again, Pogačar will probably make sure he gives the victory to McNulty.”

A year later, McNulty returned to Montréal and secured the biggest victory of his career without Pogačar alongside him.

Rasmussen nevertheless felt another UAE rider would have been a more natural fit for the rainbow jersey.

“It would undoubtedly have suited del Toro better,” he said.