Ulster Cycling News
22Sep/140

Silver for Mullen in the Men’s U23 World’s Time Trial

ryanRyan Mullen has won a silver medal in the Men's U23 Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain today. In extremely wet conditions the Irish man took control of the race from the start, posting the fastest time at each time check along the route. With three riders to go, it looked like Ireland would secure the gold, until a fast finishing Campbell Flakemore (Aus) narrowly pipped Mullen, to take the World Title. Flakemore took gold, Mullen silver, and Stefan Keung (SUI) won the bronze medal. Earlier today Josie Knight crashed in the Junior Women's Time Trial, finishing in 37th position. The Championships run from Sunday 21st September until Sunday the 28th September.

Last year in this event Mullen finished in 7th place, in his debut on the senior scene, and has gone from strength to strength, by becoming the 2014 Irish National Champion in both the Road and Time Trial, and finishing 4th in the Track World Championships earlier this year. After competing so strongly throughout the 36.15km time trial today, he had mixed emotions at the finish, as a mere 0.48 of a second stood between him and the World Title, resulting in Ireland's first U23 Road World Championship medal.

Speaking after the race Mullen said "I'm happy with the result, but bitterly disappointed to have come so close. I couldn't have gone any harder, so the best rider won on the day. I took as many risks as I could, but there wasn't a dry inch on the course, I'm used to rain at home, but not rain like this."

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Head coach Brian Nugent was following the race, updating Mullen on his split times along the route. Nugent was delighted with the performance saying "that's one of the best performances I've ever seen from an Irish rider. He rode the course perfectly, and couldn't do anymore; he was very unlucky to miss out on the gold. That was a world class performance; he made no mistakes. I'm really pleased with his progress, Ryan has just established himself as a world class rider, I couldn't be happier with that."

Next up is the Junior Men's Time Trial, tomorrow morning, with European Track Championship silver medallist Mark Downey, and Michael O'Loughlin competing. Nicolas Roche competes in the Elite Men's Time Trial on Wednesday.

In the Elite Women's Road Race Olivia Dillon has withdrawn from the competition stating "after a great deal of consideration and thought, I have decided not to participate in this year's Road World Championships. After having raced a very long and exhausting season, I feel it is time to take a much needed rest. I want to thank Cycling Ireland for selecting me and I look forward to racing next season and targeting Richmond 2015."

The Irish Team at the World Championships is sponsored by Armor-lux, PowerBar and Spin 11. The UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, run from 21st September - 28th September.

Full Team:

Junior Men
Eddie Dunbar
Daire Feeley
Dylan O'Brien
Michael O'Loughlin
Stephen Shanahan

Reserve - Craig McAuley

Time Trial - Mark Downey & Michael O'Loughlin

Junior Women
Josie Knight - Road & Time Trial

U23 Men
Conor Dunne
Ryan Mullen
Jack Wilson

Reserve - Eoin McCarthy

Time Trial - Ryan Mullen

Elite Women
Olivia Dillon (RR)

Elite Men
Philip Deignan
Daniel Martin
Nicolas Roche (& TT)

Reserve - Sam Bennett

Junior Men
Eddie Dunbar
Daire Feeley
Dylan O'Brien
Michael O'Loughlin
Stephen Shanahan

Reserve - Craig McAuley

Time Trial - Mark Downey & Michael O'Loughlin

Junior Women
Josie Knight - Road & Time Trial

U23 Men
Conor Dunne
Ryan Mullen
Jack Wilson

Reserve - Eoin McCarthy

Time Trial - Ryan Mullen

Elite Women
Olivia Dillon (RR)

Elite Men
Philip Deignan
Daniel Martin
Nicolas Roche (& TT)

Reserve - Sam Bennett

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