Mullen Best of the Irish in 11th. at World Championships
Rain Slows Mullen in Under 23 World Time Trial Championships in Richmond
Ryan Mullen has finished in 11th place in the Under 23 Time Trial on the first day of action at the World Road Championships in Richmond, Virginia. Eddie Dunbar was 38th in the same event while Ciara Doogan was 28th in the earlier Women’s Junior Time Trial.
Last year’s silver medallist Mullen started second last of the 50 riders by which time drizzle had begun to fall at the start line. At the first intermediate time check after 7.5km, Mullen had lost 25 seconds and, though he improved on the more open second half of the first lap, the damage was already done.
Mullen was 16th at the end of the first of two 15km laps, 11th at the final check with 7.5km to go and retained that position to the finish to finish 49.99s behind the race winner Mads Wurtz of Denmark.
Riding earlier in the starting order, Cork’s Eddie Dunbar finished in a time of 39m45.51s, 2m34.55s behind Wurtz and good enough for 38th position
Dunbar is back in action on Friday when he rides the 162.2km Under-23 Road Race at 17.45, Irish time.
Earlier in today, Ciara Doogan got the Irish challenge under way in the Junior Women's Time Trial.
The Donegal teenager finished 28th on her first visit to the world road championships. Doogan's time of 23m04.49s was 2m46.02s behind the winner, Chloe Dygert of the United States.
Like Dunbar, Doogan will be back in action later in the week when she takes to the start line in Friday's 64.9km Junior Road Race at 3pm, Irish time.
The next Irish riders in action are Men's Juniors Simon Tuomey and Michael O'Loughlin whose start times in their 30km time trial are at 15.23 and 17.02, respectively, tomorrow afternoon.
Later in the day reigning elite national time trial champion Siobhán Horgan rides the 30km Women's Elite Time Trial. (Time to be confirmed.)
Technical Director Brian Nugent said:
“It was a superb effort from Ryan but it really didn't work out for him today. It started raining as rolled down the ramp and no matter how well Ryan performed it wasn't possible to win in that situation on this course.
"What impressed me was that he never gave up and battled all the way to the line. That is the way time trialling is sometimes.
“For Eddie, it was a good effort on a course that wasn’t really suited to his strengths. He rode well and has gained experience for future championships and it was a great tune up for Friday’s road race.
“Likewise Ciara did a solid ride at her first world championships and will have gained a lot from the experience.
“She did a good job and she should go forward with confidence to the road race."
Rights Free Photography Available on Request