Mullen looks pretty pleased after getting his silver medal yesterday in Holland
Ireland’s European Junior Championships silver medallist, Ryan Mullen has said his preparation in Europe in recent weeks helped him turn his recent run of good performance into a medal-winning ride in Holland yesterday, Thursday.
He cited being based for three weeks with the Irish junior team in Heinkensand, Holland, right beside yesterday’s championship time trial course as hugely beneficial to his preparation.
“I was able to really get to know the ins and outs of every corner of the technical circuit. I'd trained on the course every day when I wasn't away racing.”
He said his repeated opportunities to ride the course and get to know it well must have made him “one of the best prepared riders” in the field.
“On the morning of the TT I felt I was on for a good day. Everything was smooth in terms of preparation and pre race organisation. I was totally focused on what I had to do. I was confident in knowing I'd done everything I needed in order to perform to the best of my ability.”
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He said he had sat down pre race and carefully prepared a schedule with Irish junior team manager Frank O’Leary, setting out exactly how he would ride the 24.9km race.
“I'd made the mistake in the past of going out too hard in the earlier sections of TT's. I knew if I wanted a good result I’d need to learn from those mistakes and pace myself properly. I had to remain totally focused on my schedule; it was very important that I didn't go into the red too early on; I'd have no legs come the final few km's where the biggest advantage could be made.”
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He added he had O’Leary shouting encouragement and updates at him all the way around and that the race itself passed off without incident and exactly according to plan.
“I set out to achieve a medal, and that was the outcome.”
The green of Ireland looking good on the podium
Irish riders Dylan Foley and Ryan Mullen with Irish management and support staff
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