Brandon McNulty keeps the rainbow jersey in Team UAE for a third year but he’s in no doubt who the boss will be in his world title season.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Updated September 28, 2026 03:54AM
Brandon McNulty ensured the rainbow jersey stays at UAE Emirates-XRG another year with his sensational world title victory Sunday, but he’s under no illusions about who the boss will be in 2027.
Tadej Pogačar, the UAE rider who wore the stripes the two years before him.
Speaking to the media Sunday night, McNulty could only joke – and perhaps hope – that his new status will elevate him multiple tiers in the hierarchy of his Emirati super team.
“Maybe Tadej will have to ride for me a few days,” McNulty laughed Sunday when asked about the future dynamic between him and the GOAT.
McNulty has been a selfless superdomestique for Pogačar for years.
But Rainbow Jersey Fever hadn’t gotten the Arizonan confused over who will ride for who in 2027.
“At the end of the day, Tadej’s still the best rider. So now it’ll be fun me riding the front of races for him in the jersey,” McNulty said. “It will be really cool to race with him [Pogačar] for the first time next.”
McNulty: ‘I hope I can make Pogačar proud’
McNulty acknowledged that his solo attack through the streets of Montréal might never have been possible if Pogačar was there to defend his crown Sunday.
The Slovenian’s crash at the Vuelta a España ended his season and turned the world championships road race into a free-for-all.
But McNulty’s win was not a gimme.
He and Team USA stepped up to take control of the chaos created by Pogačar’s absence. The team’s fearless multi-rider strategy overcame the French and Belgian favorites and made McNulty the USA’s first elite men’s world title in 33 years.
‘It’s super special [to wear the rainbow jersey],” McNulty said Sunday in his first press conference as world champion.
“But obviously I’m very sad that what happened [Pogačar’s crash at Vuelta] is why he’s not here. I hate to see anyone crash. I know this was important to him,” McNulty said. “On the bright side, I can at least hope I made him proud. I hope he enjoyed watching.”
Pogačar was indeed watching.
The sidelined Slovenian posted images of himself and his teammate to Instagram with the caption “The King of Montréal. Proud of you, Brandon McNulty.”
Pogačar will return to rule Team UAE in 2027
UAE team principal Mauro Gianetti was in Montréal on Sunday and was soon on hand to congratulate his new world champion.
UAE Emirates XRG rolled out the customary social media posts praising the 28-year-old who’s been on the books since 2020 and will remain so through 2030.
McNulty was enjoying the attention while he could get it.
He’s smart enough to know it won’t last when Pogačar returns to racing in the new year.
“It was super special to see Mauro. He’s very caring for me, and he’s always been really good for my development,” McNulty said Sunday. “It’s nice to see him and the other staff from UAE who were here.
“It’s nice that they’re here to see this.”
McNulty brought UAE Emirates-XRG its third world title in three years Sunday and reinforced its status as the world’s No.1 team.
But there will be no question that Pogačar will continue to reign supreme when he returns to the team bus in 2027. Being denied the chance to win the Vuelta a España and three-peat at worlds will have only sharpened his hunger.
McNulty, Del Toro, and all the rest will have to step into line.
Will McNulty be overshadowed in rainbow jersey season?
Yet it’s not all bad for McNulty. Pogačar doesn’t rule his team with an iron fist.
He’s a benevolent dictator who does favors in expectation of returns.
This year, he gifted a stage win to Del Toro at the Tour de France to keep the Mexican in line as his future lieutenant in the high mountains.
And last year, McNulty got the favor. Pogačar “let” the quiet American win the 2025 GP Montréal after the two rode off the front in the final 20km.
It remains to be seen whether McNulty sees more of his own chances in 2027, whether alongside or separate from Pogačar.
Last year, he took stage-race victories in Poland, Luxembourg, and Croatia when he raced a mostly different program from his dominant leader.
What is clear, however, is that McNulty’s first races in the rainbow bands won’t be overshadowed by the five-time Tour de France winner.
He’s provisionally expected to debut his new rainbow jersey this Sunday at the one-day Coppa Agostoni before a full program of Italian classics.