Ryan Mullen nets world class result for Ireland at ZLM Tour Nations Cup race in Holland

Ryan Mullen lead's today's breakaway: After an aggressive showing at La Cote de Picardie in France on Wednesday, Ireland's Ryan Mullen took a world class result in the ZLM Tour in Holland today (Photo: JMarc Hecquet)

Following what could only be described as disappointing results for the Irish U23 team in the Nations Cup outings of the past week, Ryan Mullen has rescued the mission with 6th place in the ZLM Tour in Holland today.

When the race split and the cream rose to the top, the golden boy of the Irish squad was right in the mix, stirring up the action among 10 riders well clear of the field.

French man Thomas Boudat was the winner today, clocking a time of exactly four hours to edge out talented Dane Mads Wurtz Schmitz, with Marc Sarreau of France rounding out the podium just one second adrift.

The Russian Evgeny Shalunov was 4th on the same time and then three seconds would elapse before Switzerland's Lukas Spengler won the sprint for 5th from a four-man group, with Mullen just edged into 6th on the same time as Spengler.

That result means Ireland now has vital points towards qualifying for the U23 road race at the World Championships in Spain in September.

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This week saw three Nations Cup races that were vital opportunities for the Irish team to score points towards qualification, which was not achieved last year.

However, in the U23 Tour of Flanders last weekend and Cote de Picardie in France on Wednesday, the Irish finished outside the points. Mullen showed his form midweek, however, riding in a breakaway that was ultimately caught.

The next best of the Irish today was Jack Wilson who came home in 35th place, 1:05 down on the winner. Conor Dunne was the only other Irish finisher, in 72nd place.

U23 Nations Cup

Saturday, April 19th

ZLM Tour, Holland