Ryan Mullen has enjoyed a strong week in the first classic races of the year in Belgium. And today he was at the front of the race in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Ireland's Ryan Mullen strong in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
Ryan Mullen has put in a very solid ride for Trek-Segafredo at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. The Irish champion was in what remained of the peloton sprinting for victory.
And on a day when the cobbles, climbs and crosswinds decimated the field, that was a strong showing for the 23-year-old.
At the end of the contest he finished 42nd; in the same time as race winner Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo).
In the finale a very strong looking breakaway group would be caught. Their recapture paved the way for a bunch sprint.
But that final scenario does not do justice to how testing the 206km race was.
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Sixty riders would finish in the bunch, with another 30 scattered back the road and 85 abandoning.
In very cold temperatures, a number of escape groups would go clear only to be recaptured. And with the constant pressure of the chase, the peloton split into pieces many times in the crosswinds.
Those who got caught behind pulled in on the finish circuits for an early shower. Others were stopped by the race organisers from going out onto the final loop.
Irish and Danish national champion's Ryan Mullen and Casper Pedersen on the front of the peloton for Trek-Segafredo in Belgium on Saturday.
But Mullen was visible at the very front of the race as it moved into the final 25km. And when constant attacks visibly trimmed the peloton further, it was still there close to the front.
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His team’s best chance of victory, Jasper Stuyven, found himself out front solo far too early.
He escaped over the top of the Nokereberg with Daniel Oss (Bora-Hansgrohe). But with 33km remaining Oss would puncture.
Oss got a fast rear wheel change from neutral service. But his stop saw him stranded halfway been Stuyven and the peloton, who were about 45 seconds apart.
Stuyven reached the finish line, to begin to closing circuits, on his own. But on a breezy day a lone escape so early always looked doomed.
He seemed unsure if he should wait on Oss or persevere as best he could; a decision taken out of his hands when Oss abandoned.
And with 18km remaining Stuyven, who won this race in 2016 and was 2nd last year, was caught and the race for victory began.
But despite several breakaway efforts it was decided in a sprint from a much reduced main field.
Sam Bennett was also riding but the Bora-hansgrohe man was not among the finishers.
Strong week for Ryan Mullen
The strong ride today by Mullen came 24 hours after he rode Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. And while he abandoned that race, he did so after making his presence felt.
He and Mads Pedersen did a lot of work on the front of the bunch to close down some escapes.
And the fact Mullen could ride so strong back to back bodes very well for his stated aim of slotting right into the Trek-Segafredo classics team.
As was the case today, Jesper Stuyven was the team's fancied rider yesterday. And the 25-year-old Belgian would finish 4th; just behind the three survivors from the breakaway.
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