RTL Today - Tour de Luxembourg: Grégoire strikes again in the capital, McNulty takes the final victory

The American rider from Team UAE won the Tour de Luxembourg for the first time, after a final stage that was once again won by Groupama-FDJ.

For the first time in nearly two decades, an American cyclist has claimed the top spot on the podium at the Tour de Luxembourg, a feat last achieved by Christian Vande Velde, former teammate of the Schleck brothers with Team CSC. Brandon McNulty seized the lead on Saturday during the Niederanven time trial, one of his specialties.

All that remained was to defend the lead in the final stage, where a breakaway formed just a few kilometres in. It proved an ideal scenario for Team UAE, who managed the race from a distance and cruised to what became the team’s 86th victory of the season.

Nils Politt, in a role he clearly relishes, set the pace for Team Groupama-FDJ, who had already shown strong form at Limpertsberg with wins from David Gaudu and Valentin Madouas.

McNulty, one of Tadej Pogačar’s key lieutenants, had been rewarded by his leader just last Sunday in Montreal and now took centre stage in Luxembourg, where he had finished second two years ago behind Switzerland’s Marc Hirschi.

The moustachioed American, winner of the Tour de Pologne, has the profile of an all-rounder, perfectly suited to the varied demands of the Grand Ducal loop. While he perhaps still lacks the explosive edge that might have secured a stage win in Vianden, his consistency and tactical acumen proved enough to claim overall victory.

Wenzel, Wallenborn and Kess in high spirits

Team UAE, which dominates wherever it goes, settled for the overall victory, while Groupama-FDJ celebrated a second bouquet after Romain Grégoire’s win at the Fish Market. The Franc-Comtois rider, who had the clever idea of following Irishman Ben Healy on the first climb up the Papeierbierg, made the most of the final few hundred metres to raise his arms in victory at Limpertsberg, making the finish feel like a personal triumph for the French team.

Brandon McNulty crossed the line 55 seconds behind the day’s winner. The yellow jersey never panicked, even when he found himself isolated for a few kilometres as Healy split the peloton of favourites. His lead in the overall standings allowed him to remain calm and secure the Tour de Luxembourg victory.

On the Luxembourg side

Mats Wenzel, who had been part of the day’s breakaway, was the last to hold out before being caught by the leading group of strong riders, which included the yellow jersey as well as Arno Wallenborn and Alexandre Kess, who delivered an impressive performance in the final stage. Wallenborn and Wenzel both finished in the top 20.

The stage also played in favour of Mil Morang, holder of the green jersey for best climber since the second day. From a distance, he watched as the breakaway riders fought for points that posed no threat to his lead. The young national team rider secured a prestigious podium finish in Luxembourg City, a reward for the efforts of Jempy Drucker’s squad.