The elite men’s TT proved to be a tough day at the office for Ireland at the World Road Championships in Innsbruck today.
Nicolas Roche and Ryan Mullen both performed below their best and trailed home down the field.
The course was too hilly for Mullen and no hilly enough for Nicolas Roche. Rohan Dennis of Australia claimed gold from last year’s champion Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands.
And completing an impressive podium line-up was the European TT champion, Victor Campenaerts of Belgium.
Dennis whipped around the 52.5km course in a time of 1:03:02. That was a massive 1:21 quicker that Dumoulin, who looked stunned be beaten.
The Dutchman took silver from Campenaerts by less than one second on a course that should have suited him best of the medal winners.
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However, Dennis has been in flying form against the watch this year; winning two TT stages in the Vuelta and one in the Giro.
Of the Irish, Roche was best; but in 46th place at 7:03. He had taken 12th last year, but on a course more suited to climbers in Bergen.
And while Mullen was an excellent 5th in the Worlds in Doha two years ago; that was a flat course perfect for him.
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Today’s race featured a near 5km climb and it was lumpy and technical throughout.
While Mullen – 49th today at 7:17 - would be expected to be in the medals at this level, that is something he may achieve in the future on a flat course.
There was no doubting the man of the moment; Rohan Dennis taking the title for the first time having suffered bad luck several times in the past.
"It's a dream come true, I've been chasing this since I was a junior," he said Dennis. "I've never won it in any age group. So to win my first one in the seniors is really special."
He adds his gold medal from today to the bronze he won in the TTT on Sunday with BMC Racing.
Furthermore, Dennis won TTT gold with the same team in 2013 and 2014 and claimed U23 silver in 2012.
"I was being coached from the team car by Brad McGee. And he gave me confidence at the top of the climb," Dennis said of his winning ride today.
"Once Dumoulin was through, he told me I was a minute up. He kept me calm. I was considering a bit of a victory salute. But I wanted to make sure.
“You're never sure until Tom crosses the line," he added in a show of respect to the defending champion.
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