The Irish road and TT champion’s jersey looks set to be in a Grand Tour this year. Ryan Mullen is very likely to make his Grand Tour debut this season
Ryan Mullen likely Grand Tour debut at Giro d'Italia
Having already taken a TT victory this year, Ryan Mullen looks set to ride the Giro d’Italia in May.
His team’s line-up is not 100 per cent confirmed but Mullen is in the mix and wants to go.
He has pointed to the fact the race starts with a near 10km TT as one of the main reasons he would be selected.
“I would love to line up at the Giro d’Italia,” he said, adding he was hopeful it would happen.
“At this stage of my career, a Grand Tour is what my body needs.
“I feel like it would be a big step to ride my first Grand Tour. And I don’t mean start it and bail out after 10 days; I mean finish it.”
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The Giro d’Italia runs this year from May 4th to 7th. The opening stage is a 9.7km TT in Jerusalem.
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That distance is slightly shorter than Mullen’s preferred distances in tests.
However, at just 23-years-old he would relish the chance to put in a big performance.
And as Irish road and TT champion his inclusion in the race would see the champion’s jersey in the Giro for the first time in many years.
Ryan Mullen almost made the Tour de France team for Cannondale-Drapac last year.
But the team opted for Taylor Phinney in the end; perhaps wisely considering Mullen’s age.
Since then he has moved teams to Trek-Segafredo. Moreover, he has gotten off to a very strong start.
First international victory
His first race was the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina last month. He won the stage 3 TT over 14km; his first international victory.
And while he was hopeful of another top result last week at the Volta ao Algarve he punctured shortly after the start of the stage 3 TT.
As a result, Ryan Mullen had to be content with 20th on day; some 1:23 behind stage winner Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).
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