Brandon McNulty Dominates Stage 4 Of CRO Race To Claim Leader's Jersey

Brandon McNulty delivered a commanding solo performance on Croatia's east coast, securing victory in stage 4 of the CRO Race. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider attacked during the penultimate climb and finished solo in Labin, earning the team's 87th win this season. McNulty, aged 27, has recently celebrated wins at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Sköda Tour de Luxembourg.

The race began with an early breakaway of four riders, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG maintained control over the peloton. On the 11.3km Poklon climb, Rune Herregodts set a strong pace before Julius Johansen and Tim Wellens positioned McNulty for intermediate sprint bonus seconds in Kršan. Wellens then increased the pace on the 3.4km penultimate ascent with an 11.1 percent gradient.

This strategy allowed McNulty to launch his decisive attack with 23.9km remaining. He quickly established a significant lead, extending it to 1 minute and 40 seconds by the finish line. This victory placed him at the top of the general classification, leading by 1 minute and 39 seconds over Edoardo Zambanini.

With two stages left in the race, McNulty not only leads overall but also tops the King of the Mountains standings. His recent performances have been impressive, adding another milestone to his career achievements.

Reflecting on his performance, McNulty stated that their strategy was clear from the outset: "We knew this climb was super steep and decisive, so the team kept everything controlled and I gave everything I had there. I suffered a bit to the finish but that was the plan."

He expressed confidence about maintaining his lead: "It is easier than last year because then we had less gap and bonus seconds. With over a minute advantage, things are more comfortable, so hopefully everything goes smoothly until the end."

McNulty's success highlights both his individual talent and effective team strategy as they aim to maintain their lead through to the race's conclusion.

With inputs from WAM