January 27, 2022: UAE Team Emirates had a perfect start to its 2022 campaign as Brandon McNulty took a strong win at the Trofeo Calvia in Mallorca (Peguera to Palmanova, 154.7km), while teammate Joel Suter earned a second place finish, a minute behind the victor.
McNulty broke clear from a front group of 30 riders on the penultimate climb of the day - the Coll den Claret - and stayed out on his own for the final 65km. As he crested the last climb of the day with just 13km to go, McNulty had extended his solo lead to 1’18’’. The American proceeded to keep the pressure on and crossed the line alone with his arms aloft for an important victory to start the year.
As the race unfolded, the Emirati formation ensured a strategic advantage by placing new signing Joel Suter in the following group to disrupt any organised chase, helping to set up the stage win for McNulty. Suter then exploded into action in a reduced bunch sprint to take second place just behind his teammate in his debut performance for UAE Team Emirates.
This win marks McNulty’s first victory in Emirati colours since joining the squad in 2020.
Brandon McNulty said: “I’m super happy! It’s a great way to start the year. It was a tough day out there but it was good for me and also for my teammate Joel who came second which was perfect for us. It was up and down terrain all day with no real flat roads, so as the group got smaller I was able to establish a gap. I knew if I could hold on it would be tough to chase me down with the twisty, undulating roads. I put the attack in and was able to hold on, so I’m very pleased.”
Later today the racing at the Mallorca Challenge continues with the Trofeo Alcudia (173.2km).
Results
1. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) 4:07:00
2. Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates) +1’00
3. Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo-Kometa) s.t
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