Ryan Mullen went straight from the juniors into the pro ranks but seems to be making the adjustment very well
One of the most exciting young talents to pull on an Irish jersey for decades, Ryan Mullen appears to be making very promising progress in his first year in the professional ranks.
Having gone straight from being a junior last year into the pro game, the Junior European Time Trial Championships silver medallist from last year in the off season secured a place for 2013 with UK-based Continental-ranked team IG Sigma Sport.
With the first months of the new campaign now under his belt he seems confident in his new surroundings and looks to be close to getting into the mix on the biggest of the pro races in the UK. He told stickybottle at the weekend that this season was about adjusting to the longer distances riding in the pro bunch, before hopefully being able to play a much more active part in those races when he finds his feet.
Advertisement
On the basis of a very strong ride – albeit below the radar - in Sunday’s British Premier Calendar Series Lincoln GP in England, it appears he has found his feet a little quicker than expected. Despite assisting team mate Peter Hawkins, giving him a wheel when the Belfast man broke a spoke, Mullen got back on to what remained of the peloton and finished with that group, which was sprinting for 8th place.
“It was a tough day,” Mullen told stickybottle.
“I was under orders to help Pete out as much as I could; to cover moves and try to stay up at the front as much as possible. The plan was to try and split the race before the 2nd time (of 13) up the climb. I was supposed to be part of the train that drilled it before the climb but that plan kinda failed because a few of the team pulled out after the first lap.”
While Hawkins did manage to get clear in a small group on the climb’s second passage, with fellow Belfast man Connor McConvey (Synergy Baku) for company, that move was one of many to be reeled in before Peter Kennaugh, of Team Sky but riding for the Isle of Man, danced up the cobbled climb with five laps remaining. He dragged two others with him, with the race behind from that point a contest for fourth place. Kennaugh would eventually take the win.
Related News
However, while Mullen was not challenging for victory, there was ample evidence on Sunday that that point in his pro career is perhaps not very far away.
“Pete broke a spoke after half distance,” he said of Hawkins’ minor mishap.
“I drifted back from the front of the bunch to come and help him out. Instead of him waiting for the car I gave him my wheel. I was feeling really good all day; I didn't find it too hard to maintain position. After chasing back up to the bunch after giving Pete my wheel I took a lap or two to recover but I settled back in really well.”
He said when Kennaugh made his move, the gap to the leaders did not go out very quickly and he expected more of an effort from those left in the depleted peloton to chase determinedly.
“I suppose after 10 or 11 times already up the climb people were starting to feel the burn,” he said.
“On the last lap it was all about making sure nothing else got away and trying to get Pete the best result possible. A few guys tried getting off the front but I had the legs to close them down which I was happy with.”
“This year, the biggest thing for me has been the distance, but it now seems like I'm able to stay active all the way through these races. It's been a good step up and I’m really glad to be part of a team where I can get the opportunity to ride all these races. It's definitely beginning to bring some form.”
He added he was looking forward to the months ahead and in the immediate future planned a block of time trial training with the aim of targeting some big tests, including the British National Championships which he can ride despite being Irish. He will also be part of the IG Sigma Sport squad for the Tour Series, a number of city centre criteriums across Britain.
