Difficult day for the Irish at European Champs elite and U23 men's TTs | Sticky Bottle

*Ryan Mullen had no excuses after his ride today, simply saying he had under-performed and would now move on from his result*

Ryan Mullen was best of the Irish men in TT action at the European Championships in Italy today; the Trek-Segafredo professional placing 18th in the elite men's race against the watch.

It was a difficult day for the Irish, with Mullen carrying our hopes into today's action but unfortunately suffering an off day and not getting close to what he is capable of.

The 22.4km elite men's TT in Trento was won by defending champion Stefan Küng (Switzerland) in a time of 24:29. He beat world champion Filippo Ganna (Italy) by eight seconds. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) took the bronze at 15 seconds.

*Aaron Wade looked like he left it all out on the road in the U23 TT at the European Championships in Italy*

Mullen - who has finished on the podium at both the elite Europeans and U23 Worlds - was some way off his best today; 18th at 2:10. National TT champion Conn McDunphy, making his elite debut at a Europeans, was 29th at 2:42.

In the men's U23 race Kevin McCambridge and Aaron Wade were flying the flag for Ireland. McCambridge was 26th at 1:57 while Wade was 38th at 3:11.

The U23 title race, over the same 22.4km course as the elites, was won by Johan Price Pejtersen (Denmark) in a time of 25:35. That time would have secured him 9th in the elite men’s race.

Søren Wærenskjold (Norway), a double stage winner at the recent Tour de l'Avenir, took the U23 silver at 33 seconds with Daan Hoole (Netherlands) taking bronze at 34 seconds.