Roche downs young guns Dunbar and Mullen for TT gold

Nicolas Roche is the national time-trial champion for the second time in his career after storming to a mighty win in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare this evening. The Team Sky man proved too good for Eddie Dunbar (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale)

By Brian Canty

Nicolas Roche is the new national time-trial champion after storming to a fantastic win in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, this evening.

The Team Sky man proved too good for Eddie Dunbar (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale) at the end of a close-fought battle on the 40-kilometre out and back course.

Mullen was looking back-to-back elite national time-trial titles but can have no complaints on the night, though his crash at the ZLM Toer last weekend was perhaps a factor in his below-par result.

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Roche stopped the clock at 47:14 and at the time of writing, Dunbar's time had not been made official, though Mullen clocked 48:39.

It’s a brilliant result for Roche who put down his superiority in very firm terms on the night.

He last won the championships way back in 2007 and based on this form he will be hard to bet against to win the road race on Sunday as well.

Dunbar, a runner-up last year, put up a massive fight in a bid to win and he should be very content with the silver medal, given the quality of rider he was beaten by.

Find separate women's report by following this link.