'Special to be the one' – McNulty confirms UAE’s place in cycling history with 86th win
Brandon McNulty rode safely through the rain in Luxembourg City to defend his yellow jersey and in doing so delivered something far greater than a personal triumph. His overall victory at the Tour de Luxembourg became the 86th success of the season for UAE Team Emirates XRG, a number that carries the weight of history.
It was another addition to what has already been a highly successful season for McNulty, with overall victory at the Tour de Pologne, a win at the GP Montréal, and ninth place in the Giro d’Italia GC.
“It’s very special to be part of the team to break the record and even more special to be the one to do it,” McNulty said. “It was a hard final day. The rain always makes it a bit more stressful but the team rode well and defended the jersey well. This season has been amazing for us and we’ll aim to finish it off strongly also.”
The scale of the achievement lies not in the number alone but in the manner of its making. Twenty riders have taken victories in 2025, from the star turns of Pogačar and Del Toro to those who contributed a single triumph to the cause. Sixteen stage races have been won along the way, with the Tour de France sitting at the summit.
It is a spread of success across every type of race, a contrast to the sprint-fuelled juggernaut of HTC Columbia in 2009, whose record of 85 victories has now been overtaken.
For Mauro Gianetti, CEO & Team Principal of UAE Team Emirates XRG, the achievement is about more than statistics.
“Reaching 86 victories in one season is an extraordinary milestone, and it reflects the incredible commitment and unity of everyone in this organisation, from our leaders in the UAE to our riders, staff, sponsors, and supporters,” Gianetti said.
“This record is not just about numbers, but about the consistency, the sacrifices, and the belief that have carried us through every race. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together, and this moment will stand as a reference point in the history of our team and of cycling. We will enjoy it, but also remain motivated to keep pushing for more.”
For UAE Team Emirates XRG the season is far from finished. Il Lombardia, Paris–Tours and the Tour of Guangxi are still to come among other races, offering further chances to stretch the record even further into the distance.
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