Former Irish road race and TT champion Ryan Mullen will be the first Irish pro cyclist to pin on numbers this year when he gets his season underway at Etoile de Bessèges-Tour du Gard tomorrow.
The five-stage French race is normally a low-key, though
very competitive, season-opener. However, this year’s field is of a higher calibre
than normal as the dearth of racing due to Covid-19 cancellations has resulted
in a number of big names deciding late to ride the race.
Mullen is part of a very strong Trek-Segafredo line-up
that includes Vincenzo Nibali and Bauke Mollema. Mads Pedersen is also in the
team and the 2019 world champion will look to take a stage win, with Mullen one
of his key lead-out men.
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Indeed, the Irishman and the Dane combined very well last
year, especially when Pedersen took victory on stage 3 of the BinckBank Tour.
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A similar scenario in France in coming days would represent a perfect start to the new season for Trek-Segafredo. Also in its team this week is Alex Kirsch along with Danish 20-year-old Mattias Skjelmose Jensen and Edward Theuns.
With Irish rider Mullen likely to be limited to team
duties on the four road stages, he will get a chance to target a result of his
own during the final stage TT.
That 11km test in Alès is not precisely to Mullen’s liking as the final 2.5km kicks up a little. However, it is still a course that can suit the bigger riders.
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