Mullen Powers to Bronze in the U23 Men’s Sprint at UEC European Track Cycling Championships
Ireland’s Medal Haul Grows with Sprinter Eoin Mullen Winning Bronze in Portugal
Eoin Mullen has won a Bronze Medal in the U23 Men’s Sprint at the UEC European Track Championships in Anadia, Portugal this evening, after beating Poland’s Mateausz Lipa in the Bronze Medal Final. Mullen stormed into the Finals after initially posting the third fastest 200m qualifying time, before winning all the qualifying rounds yesterday. The event was won by Nikita Shurshin (RUS) with Jeffrey Hoogland (NED) taking silver. The Championships, which are for U23 and Junior riders, began on Tuesday 22nd July and continue until Sunday 27th July.
Mullen started strong this morning, in the Semi Finals, winning the first round. However, Hoogland narrowly took the lead in the second and third deciding rounds, denying the Irishman an opportunity to ride for gold. In the Bronze Medal ride off Mullen reversed the morning’s proceedings, with the first round being won by Lipa, before Mullen romped home first in the final rounds, securing Ireland’s first medal in a Sprint event at this level.
The Aran Island’s native is currently based out of Aigle, where he has benefitted from coaching from top sprint coach Tim Carswell. Cycling Ireland Head Coach Brian Nugent was delighted with Mullen’s medal win saying:
“I’m delighted for Eoin. This is Ireland’s first sprint medal at this level, which is a great achievement. Especially since the Sprint is an Olympic event. Huge credit goes to Eoin’s coach Tim Carswell, and to the UCI for the scholarship opportunity that they offered Eoin to train in Aigle. It’s great to see the fruition of this commitment.”
This is the largest team that Ireland has sent to a major track competition, and the work on developing young athletes is clearly paying off. Nugent said:
“We came to these Championships with thirteen riders competing across all disciplines, and at this stage we are looking at three medals and several National Records and top five results. We have been working on creating a solid pathway for these young riders, and it is great to see it paying off.”
Tomorrow racing continues with the Junior Men and Women’s omnium events.
The UEC European Track Championships U23/Junior takes place in Anadia from the 22-27 July.
RESULTS:
U23 MEN SPRINT:
Gold SHURSHIN Nikita (RUS)
Silver HOOGLAND Jeffrey (NED)
Bronze MULLEN Eoin (IRL)
Fourth LIPA Mateusz (POL)
Qualifying Rounds:
1/ 2 Final
1. HOOGLAND Jeffrey (NED)
2. MULLEN Eoin (IRL)
1/ 4 Final
1. MULLEN (IRL)
2. SAMUSENKO (RUS)
1/8 Final
1. MULLEN (IRL)
2. ASSMUS (GER)
1/16 Final
1. MULLEN (IRL)
2. CECI (ITA)
QUALIFYING 200m
1. SHURSHIN Nikita (RUS)
2. HOOGLAND Jeffrey (NED)
3. MULLEN Eoin (IRL)
U23 WOMEN SCRATCH
1. BALABOLINA Tamara (RUS)
2. GONCHAROVA Alexsandra (RUS)
3. CECCHINI Elena (ITA)
MCCURLEY Shannon (IRL) (DNF)
JUNIOR WOMEN SCRATCH RACE:
Gold BISSOLATI Elena (RUS)
Silver KLIMOVA Diana (RUS)
Bronze CRETTI Claudia (ITA)
DNF KNIGHT Josie (IRL)
DNF COLLINS Autumn (IRL)
SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
Junior Men’s Omnium
Mark Downey
Junior Women’s Omnium
Josie Knight
Official Website: http://uec.ch/track.html
Cycling Ireland Website: www.cyclingireland.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyclingireland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IreCyclingFed or @irecyclingfed