McNulty's Tour de France Recon Scare
Brandon McNulty Unharmed in Road Rage Incident During Tour de France Time-Trial Recon
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The driver involved in the incident was described by UAE Team Emirates XRG chief Mauro Gianetti as furious and a member of the public not affiliated with the race, who stopped his car after overtaking McNulty; Gianetti said the crash was “not nice” but not serious.
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Gianetti provided a detailed account of the crash to Cycling Weekly, stating the car was “a normal car” behind McNulty and that after McNulty overtook, the car stopped and he was unable to prevent himself from colliding with it.
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Cycling News reported that the incident occurred on public roads on the day of reconnaissance for stage 16 and described it as a road-rage incident, with the driver not connected to the race and the injuries not expected to be serious.
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A medical update indicated McNulty’s injuries were not serious and that the team doctor would confirm whether he could start the time trial; initial uncertainty about his start was later resolved in favor of him riding.
American rider Brandon McNulty was knocked off his bike by a road-rage driver while scouting the Stage 16 time-trial course at the Tour de France, according to Cycling News. The incident happened on public roads near Évian-les-Bains before the 26.1-kilometer individual time trial — the only solo race against the clock in this year's Tour.
Despite the scary crash, McNulty was cleared to race. His team, UAE Team Emirates XRG, confirmed his injuries were not serious and he would start the stage as planned.
A Furious Driver Stops and Causes the Crash
Team principal Mauro Gianetti told Cycling Weekly exactly what happened. A car was driving behind McNulty during his recon ride. McNulty passed the car. Then the driver stopped — suddenly and without warning. McNulty had no time to react and rode straight into the back of the stopped vehicle.
Gianetti described the driver as "furious" and said the man was "a normal car" driver with no connection to the Tour de France. Officials confirmed the driver was a member of the public, not a race affiliate. Gianetti called the crash "not nice" but said it was "not big" in terms of injuries.
McNulty Cleared to Race After Medical Check
There was early uncertainty about whether McNulty could start Stage 16. The team said a doctor would need to assess him first. Yahoo Sports reported that the collision happened during his reconnaissance ride for the 16th stage — the race's only individual time trial this year.
The medical check came back clean. McNulty was confirmed as a starter. He sits 19th in the general classification and was set to ride in support of teammate Tadej Pogačar, who leads the overall race. McNulty's role as a domestique — a rider who supports the team leader — was not affected by the incident.
Road Rage on Public Roads Puts Riders at Risk
Velo described the incident as McNulty being "brake tested" — a term for when a driver suddenly slows or stops to deliberately block someone behind them. The crash highlights the dangers riders face on open public roads during recon rides, when no race barriers or traffic controls are in place.
The Winnipeg Free Press called it a road-rage confrontation. Such incidents are rare at the Tour but not unheard of. Riders often use public roads in the days and hours before stages to learn corners, climbs, and descents at race pace.
Stage 16 Sets Up Key GC Battle on the Clock
The 26.1-kilometer time trial runs from Évian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains. Time trials are solo efforts where each rider races the clock individually. They often shake up the general classification — the overall standings — in big ways.
Pogačar leads the Tour heading into the stage. Rival Jonas Vingegaard is racing with the effects of a crash still in play. Remco Evenepoel won a recent stage and is in contention. McNulty's job is to support Pogačar, but in a time trial every rider races alone — making the stage a rare moment where teammates cannot help each other.
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