‘Races pass faster’: McNulty narrowly denied at Coppa Agostoni as rainbow era gets off to strong start

Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) narrowly missed out on taking his first victory as world champion, sprinting to second at the Coppa Agostoni on Sunday behind Paul Lapeira (Decathlon CMA CGM). 

The world champion’s performance capped a combative opening weekend in the rainbow jersey, after he had also finished 10th at the Giro dell’Emilia on Saturday.

McNulty had raced aggressively in Bologna on Saturday, attacking with 19km remaining, before eventually finishing tenth, 45 seconds behind winner Davide Piganzoli (Visma | Lease a Bike). 

On Sunday, the world champion raised the stakes by making the decisive selection with around 93km remaining, before driving the pace to keep the peloton at bay. 

McNulty and his companions were successful in holding off the peloton, and the victory at the Coppa Agostoni would be decided in a six-man sprint. 

Ultimately, Lapeira denied the American his first opportunity to celebrate victory in the rainbow jersey, while Andrea Raccagni (Soudal Quick-Step) rounded out the podium.

Nonetheless, McNulty took plenty of positives from his performance and role in conducting the dynamics of the race. 

“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,” McNulty said.

“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.”

The American reflected on his opening weekend in the rainbow jersey and the experience of racing as the world champion compared with life before that landmark day in Montréal.

“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!” said McNulty. 

“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.”

McNulty won’t have to wait long for his next outing in the rainbow jersey, as he is set to feature at Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday before lining up for the final Monument of the season at Il Lombardia on Saturday.