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Pogačar Gifts McNulty Victory in Grueling Montréal race, Americans Shine
The 2024 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal delivered a thrilling finish, marked by a strategic decision from Tadej Pogačar to hand a victory to teammate Brandon McNulty. The race, widely considered one of the most challenging one-day events in the world, saw a punishing pace from the outset, ultimately culminating in a UAE Team Emirates 1-2 finish.
A Relentless Pace Sets the Stage
From the start, the peloton faced a brutal tempo. Riders worked tirelessly to shed competitors,quickly reducing the bunch. This aggressive strategy set the tone for a race demanding remarkable endurance and tactical acumen.
Pogačar described the early stages,explaining,”We were riding a super hard pace and reduced the bunch quite fast.” He then detailed a pivotal moment on a key climb.”I told Brandon if you want to go on an attack you can go. then I joined him on the top of the climb and we went together.”
Following a brief solo effort from McNulty,Pogačar bridged the gap,creating a formidable duo.”when I was alone he bridged across to me.It was quite fast [soon] we knew who was going to win,” Pogačar added.
A Gifted Victory & Pogačar’s Grace
While mcnulty acknowledged being gifted the win,Pogačar downplayed the decision,seemingly reluctant to explicitly confirm the arrangement. Though, his response to a question about the sprint told a different story. When asked if it was the slowest sprint of his career, he smiled and conceded, “Probably, yes.”
this gesture highlights the strong team dynamic within UAE Team Emirates and Pogačar’s willingness to share success with his teammates. It’s a testament to the trust and camaraderie built within the squad.
American Strength on Display
The race wasn’t solely a UAE affair. American rider Matteo Simmons delivered a stunning performance, securing third place and his best-ever result in a WorldTour one-day race.
Simmons expressed his satisfaction,stating,”If you are going to lose,it is okay to lose to these two,I guess.” He continued, “To be on the podium and to be again doing it in the national colors, that is a super result and it is one step forward for me.”
simmons initially arrived at the race as a support rider for teammate Mattias Skjelmose. “I said at the start this is one of the hardest one day races in the world. To be honest,I was here to support Skelly. I didn’t expect to even make it to the finish today.”
He also acknowledged the challenge posed by UAE’s tactics. “For sure we got killed a bit by UAE, I think we are a bit used to this now at this race. But congrats to them. It is pretty cool that two Americans are on the podium here.”
A Race That Tested Limits
The physical and mental toll of the race was evident. Simmons collapsed to the ground after crossing the finish line, a visual representation of the immense effort required.
McNulty echoed this sentiment,describing the unwavering support from his UAE teammates. “I think it is super cool to see your teammates and friends pulling like this. We were in one line most of the day and I was just watching these guys pulling super hard.” He admitted to struggling even while sheltered within the peloton. “Even behind I was suffering. I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to continue at the speed we were going.”
A Memorable Day for McNulty
For McNulty,the victory was notably special. riding alongside and ultimately finishing ahead of the reigning world champion,Tadej Pogačar,made the moment unforgettable.
“When he is the world champion, obviously the best guy in the world, it is super special to go across the line like that,” McNulty said with a smile. “it’s one of the most memorable days of my career so far.”
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal proved to be a showcase of elite cycling,strategic teamwork,and the enduring spirit of competition. it also highlighted the growing strength of American cycling on the world stage.
Key Takeaways:
* **UAE Team Emirates Dom
