Brandon McNulty was unharmed after an apparent road-rage incident involving a motorist on his way to the Tour de France Stage 16 time trial. The American rider was still scheduled to compete later Tuesday.
The confrontation came before a technical 26.1-kilometer individual time trial beside Lake Geneva, near the Swiss border. McNulty rides for UAE Emirates XRG, the team of overall race leader Tadej Pogačar.
Driver Allegedly Stopped After Overtaking
According to www.espn.com, UAE Emirates XRG CEO Mauro Gianetti said an angry driver overtook McNulty and then stopped the vehicle. McNulty subsequently collided with the car.
Gianetti said the motorist was a member of the public and had no affiliation with the race. “Nothing so big, but it was not nice,” Gianetti told Eurosport.
Time Trial Arrives With Pogačar in Control
Pogačar began Tuesday’s stage with a commanding five-minute advantage over Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings. Evenepoel had won Stage 15 on Sunday after Pogačar’s main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, crashed out.
The Tour de France is scheduled to finish in Paris on July 26. McNulty’s ability to start the time trial meant the incident did not immediately alter his place in the race.
