Pick: Brandon McNulty
Odds: +100
$100 Could Win You…$200
Stage 2 of the 2021 Volta a Catalunya is an individual time trial (ITT) that spans 21.1 kilometers. There will be some elevation gain in the first few kilometers, but the last 14km is largely flat.
This stage shouldn’t be a problem for the 22-year-old American Brandon McNulty who is slowly becoming one of the top time trialists in the sport today.
After finishing 46th on Stage 1 of the Volta a Catalunya, can the American put in a good enough time to finish in the Top 3 of Stage 2’s time trial?
Volta a Catalunya Betting Odds
- To Win (+600)
- Top 3 (+100)
McNulty enters as the third largest betting favorite with +600 odds to win Stage 2. He’s behind Remi Cavagna (-125) and Rohan Dennis (+250) with online betting sites.
Brandon McNulty without serious injuries after Paris-Nice crash:https://t.co/qToysTSTWV
— VeloNews (@velonews) March 13, 2021
Where Cavagna (-400) and Dennis (-200) have negative odds to finish in the Top 3, McNulty does not. He’s listed with +100 odds. That’s great value for a rider who has a realistic shot of winning this stage.
Previous Time Trial Results
Last year, McNulty closed out the season with a strong showing at the Giro d’Italia when he finished 3rd on Stage 14’s time trial and 8th for the TT on Stage 21. Stage 14 TT was 34.1km, which was the longest time trial of the Grand Tour.
He ended up 15th overall in the General Classification of the Giro d’Italia which was a stunning result that nobody expected. In his last 13 time trials, which includes the Giro, McNulty has six Top 5s and nine Top 10s.
2021 Season So Far
Prior to the Volta a Catalunya (VaC), McNulty only competed in one race this season to date. That was at Paris-Nice.
He had a strong showing in the TT on Stage 3 where he finished 4th behind Roglic, Cavagna and Bissegger. Only Cavagna is competing in the VaC.
Unfortunately, McNulty didn’t finish Paris-Nice as he crashed out on Stage 6. As for his time trial form in that race and on the year, McNulty made the following comments:
“My numbers all around have been good. That just comes from every year at this age you’re going to get better. It’s been really good. For me, the time trial should look good. The big thing is putting the power together with the position but I’ve been really happy with my position for this last season and this year so hopefully those two can come together well.”
Take McNulty to Finish in the Top 3
Because Cavagna beat McNulty in the time trial of Paris-Nice, I believe that he will edge out the American once again. Furthermore, Rohan Dennis is a beast in time trials and I expect him to finish in the Top 3 as well.
Brandon McNulty Top 3 (+100)
With that said, McNulty finishing in the Top 3 for Stage 2’s time trial is a wager with plenty of value. I like his chances and I like what I saw of him in Paris-Nice. I’ll certainly be rooting for McNulty to win the stage, but I’ll play it safe here and take the Top 3 wager.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
