In-form Ryan Mullen's personal and team plans for Tirreno-Adriatico
Ryan Mullen is targeting the TTs at Tirreno-Adriatico. It is a huge challenge the Irishman faces, with long stages and plenty of climbing.
By Brian Canty
Ryan Mullen gets back to business today at Tirreno-Adriatico and he’ll be on something of a revenge mission after his near miss at Volta ao Algarve last month.
There, the Cannondale-Drapac man was on a super ride in the individual time-trial when he dropped his chain. That mishap probaly cost him a place on the podium.
But he’s put it all to one side and is chomping at the bit for a race he’s never done before.
There are two tests against the clock; a team effort today of 22.7 kilometres and a shorter 10-kilometre blast next Tuesday.
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“It’s going to be a big team effort (today),” said Mullen. “We have to go as fast as we can to get a stage result.
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"But primarily the goal is to keep Rigo (Uran) within touching distance on the general classification. That’s our biggest goal here.
He said of today's team test: “I’d call it a straightforward out and back.
“A 22-minute, 56 kilometre an hour blast. Easy, right? We’ll all whack out five million watts and be done with it.”
After today there are five road stages, three of which are over 200 kilometres. There is some significant climbing as well.
In touching distance of the top
But with the team’s work for the general classification to be done on stage six, Mullen hopes to give the final TT stage a rattle.
“It’s a hair longer than 10 kilometres and it’s similar to the first stage in that it’s an out and back," he said.
“Speeds will only be slightly slower. It’s a 52, 53 kilometre an hour kind of job. I’ve been targeting this stage since I got the call up.
“I’m going to take it day by day; make sure I’m recovering well after I do my job for Rigo.
“If all goes well, the numbers I know I can do should have me in touching distance to the top, barring any mishaps in the week.
“I don’t want to put a number on it but I’m aiming to be competitive."
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