Brandon McNulty wins the queen stage of the 75th VCV in El Miserat

• The American UAE Emirates Team rider proves to be the best climber of this Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana with a convincing victory ahead of Vlasov and Buitrago.

Vall d’Ebo. 3 February 2024. The American Brandon McNulty has given a blow on the table with his victory in the fourth stage of the 75th VCV – Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Gran Premi Banc Sabadell. The UAE Emirates Team rider won this Saturday the queen stage of the 75th VCV between Teulada Moraira and Vall d’Ebo, a stage shortened in its final part due to an unfortunate event near the finish line. With this victory, McNulty also takes the lead in the general classification pending the fifth and final stage to be held this Sunday between Bétera and Valencia.

The stage started with the usual signature control in Teulada Moraira, where sprinter Jonathan Milan was the centre of attention after his spectacular victory in Orihuela on Thursday. Of course, everyone was also keeping an eye on Vlasov, Bilbao, McNulty and Buitrago, clear favourites to win the queen stage before the race. The reception from the local cycling fans was magnificent and the setting for the signing control was spectacular, next to Moraira Castle.

The start of the stage was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the President of Alicante Provincial Council, Antonio Pérez; the First Vice-President of Alicante Provincial Council, Ana Serna; the Provincial Roads Deputy, Arturo Poquet; the Mayor of Teulada Moraira, Raúl Llobell; the Councillor for Sports of Teulada Moraira, Josep Ivars; the General Manager of Banco Sabadell, Jaume Matas; the Deputy General Manager and Eastern Territorial Manager of Banco Sabadell, Fernando Canós; the Regional Manager of Les Marines, Isabel Gómez; the Project Manager of the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, Carles Baixauli; and the General Manager of the VCV, Ángel Casero.

The stage was expected to be demanding and so it was from the start. The pace was high for the teams that would fight for the general classification in order to drop as many riders as possible. The passage through each of the mountain passes was claiming victims until everything was to be decided at El Miserat, the unpublished summit of this 75th VCV.

For reasons of force majeure, the stage had to be shortened in its final stretch and the finish line was placed precisely at the top of El Miserat. There, McNulty was the fastest ahead of Vlasov and Buitrago, taking the lead and confirming himself as the favourite for the final victory. This Sunday, the final stage between Bétera and the Port of Valencia.