By Brian Canty
Ryan Mullen was best of the Irish in 88th place today in the junior men’s World Road Race Championships in Valkenburg, Holland.
Mullen came into the race eager to make up for what he believed was a disappointing display in the time-trial last Monday but he faded in the finish and came over the line in a four-man group 28 seconds behind the winner, Matej Mohoric of Slovenia.
Of the other Irish in the race — Cormac Clarke was 101st, 53 seconds back, while Matthew Doyle was listed as a non-finisher.
The race was a constant war of attrition, with attacks going off the front and then being pulled back following frantic chases.
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A move of 11 riders gained 20 seconds with two laps to go but was then quickly chased down.
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Another move of 12 riders surged away but yet again they were pulled back as the last lap started.
A sprint finish was expected but after the final climb of the Cauberg, Mohoric attacked hard. Australian Caleb Ewan, Croatian Josep Rumac and Italy’s Federico Zurlo tried to go after him but the big Slovenian managed to hold off everyone and win the world title.
Mohoric ended a run of two successive French champions at the end of the 129 kilometres race around eight laps. Incidentally, he was second in the time-trial last Monday.
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