Mullen and Murphy power to elite TT titles at Irish Champs

The elite, U23 and junior Irish TT titles have just been decided in Co Sligo for 2018. Above, Ryan Mullen on his way to victory (Photo: Sean Rowe)

 

Ryan Mullen and Kelly Murphy are elite Irish TT champs

 

Ryan Mullen and Kelly Murphy are the Irish elite men’s and women’s TT champions for 2018.

They claimed their elite titles during the tests in Co Sligo this evening.

Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) claimed both the TT and road race last year in Wexford. And he was red hot favourite to win the TT again this time around.

He saw off the challenge of Marcus Christie, the Performance SBR man collecting another championships medal today.

And the man in the bronze medal position was Paul Kennedy; the Newcastle West CC rider notching a brilliant career achievement in taking an elite medal.

Mullen clocked a time of 40:59, some 2:01 faster than Christie and 4:14 up on Kennedy.

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In the women’s race Murphy (Chapter 2) deposed Eileen Burns (Ballymena RC).

That result was a reversal of the top two from last year’s title race in Wexford.

And clearly the two women have cemented their reputations as being at the apex on the talent on the Irish scene at present.

And in 3rd place on the day was another heavy-hitter; Eve McCrystal.

Though her paracycling commitments come first, she knocked out a very strong performance for bronze.

The women's podium was closer than the men's; Murphy recording a time of 47:17, some 1:13 faster than Burns.

And just a further 22 seconds in arrears was McCrystal to round on the podium.

Michael O’Loughlin (Team Wiggins) retained his U23 crown from Conn McDunphy (Holdsworth).

First-year U23 rider and track specialist Xeno Young (Powerhouse Sport) took bronze.

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O'Loughlin stopped the clock on 42:54; the second fastest time of all the riders on the night.

That was just seven seconds faster than McDunphy. And Young was another 57 seconds down.

Ben Healy (Zappi RT) won the junior men’s title from Aaron Doherty (NRPT) and Breandán Flannagan (Powerhouse Sport)

Healy recorded a time of 44:32; some 1:55 up on Doherty. Flannagan was just another six seconds back.

More to follow.

 

National TT Championships

Brief Results

Elite Men

  1. Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) 40:59
  2. Marcus Christie (SBR Performance) 43:00
  3. Paul Kennedy (Newcastle West CC) 45:14

Elite Women

  1. Kelly Murphy (Chapter 2) 47:17
  2. Eileen Burns (Ballymena RC) 48:30
  3. Eve McCrystal (Garda CC-Richies Bikes) 48:52

U23 Men

  1. Michael O’Loughlin (Team Wiggins) 42:54
  2. Conn McDunphy (Holdsworth Pro Cycling) 43:01
  3. Xeno Young (Powerhouse Sport) 43:58

Junior Men

  1. Ben Healy (Zappi RT) 44:32
  2. Aaron Doherty (NRPT-Chill Insurance) 46:27
  3. Breandán Flannagan (Powerhouse Sport) 46:33

 

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