Nicolas Roche was left frustrated at the National Road Race Championships but says the Irish scene has gotten much stronger (Photo: David McVeigh - The Belgium Project)
Nicolas Roche says Irish cycling scene now so strong
Nicolas Roche has said while he was disappointed at the way the National Road Race Championships played out for him, he believed Ryan Mullen would be a great champion.
Roche said he had been critical before the race that the course was not harder. But on the day he felt it led to more tactical racing that was perhaps better for spectators.
Asked was he frustrated at having been caught out a number of times as groups went clear, Roche said: “Yeah, it was a very, very negative race. It’s always been negative racing every time I’ve come.
“The only difference is today that level in Ireland is a lot higher. In a way it’s great to see how strong the riders are back here compared to a couple of years ago.
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"So, in a way, I’m very happy at the progress of Irish cycling.”
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He added while not pleased the racing was negative he had to accept “that’s bike racing”.
He told Shane Stokes that having been interviewed by him over many years he had remarked that the championships tended to be negative.
However, he said he knew Ryan Mullen was disappointed initially at not being selected by Cannondale-Drapac for the Tour de France.
And so he was delighted he had won the TT and road double.
“I felt disappointed for him that he wasn’t going to make the Tour, we had a chat about it," Roche said.
"And he explained why he’s not that disappointed anymore and he felt it was a year too soon. I’m sure he’ll be a great Irish champion.”
Roche believe his own form was good going into the Tour. “I’ll have a good transition week and off we go.”
Shane Stokes talks to Nicolas Roche
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