The form which earned Ryan Mullen a superb seventh place against seasoned professionals in the recent Tour of Britain time trial almost translated into victory in the under 23 TT at cycling's world championships today, with the rider going agonisingly close to a gold medal.
Mullen finished seventh in the event last year as a first year under 23 rider and showed his improvement when he shrugged off wet, slippery conditions to set the best time in the 36.15 kilometre solo test. He easily bettered times of other riders who had the benefits of dry roads, and went into the hotseat at the finish as provisional race leader.
Having been quickest at the two intermediate checkpoints, it looked all but certain that he would win, but Campbell Flakemore - who was fourth last year - put in a scintillating final section and pipped Mullen's time by just 0.48 seconds.
The Australian is two years older than his rival. Aside from the benefit of age, he also had the additional edge of starting after Mullen and getting regular time checks.
Mullen beat bronze medallist Stefan Kueng (Switzerland) by 9.22 seconds, and took Ireland’s first-ever world championship time trial medal in any discipline.
“I thought I might hang on,” he said, “but I got everything out. I literally emptied myself. I took as many risks as I dared, and at the end of the day the better guy won. So I can’t really regret anything.
“But it is pretty disappointing to come so close to getting a world title. Every year in the last few years I have progressed slowly. I thought this year that I might have progressed enough to try to take the title but, at the end of the day, I’m pretty happy with the result I have got.”
He thanked Cycling Ireland for its help in the build-up to the race and also at the worlds. Mullen’s example has given the Irish squad a psychological boost on the opening day of its campaign.
Earlier, Josie Knight took 37th place in the junior women’s time trial. She had been 15th at the first time check but crashed between there and the finish, losing time. She ended up one minute 45 seconds behind the winner Macey Stewart of Australia.
The Irish campaign will continue Tuesday with the junior men’s time trial. Mark Downey and Michael O’Loughlin will both take part, while Nicolas Roche will compete in the Elite men’s TT on Wednesday.
Cycling Ireland confirmed Monday that Olivia Dillon, who had been due to race in the elite women’s road race on Saturday, had withdrawn due to the fatigue of a long season. No reserve had been named and her slot will not be filled by another at this late stage.
Mullen will compete again in the under 23 road race on Friday, along with Conor Dunne and Jack Wilson.
All three race for the An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly team and, asked Monday, Mullen said he would likely remain part of that setup for 2015.
“As it stands, I have not had any other offers in terms of teams,” he said. “But I’m pretty happy where I am. They offered me a really good setup and they are really lenient with my track racing commitments.
“I think at the moment if a pro contract came along, it would be nice but I think I’m probably still a bit too young. I’m not physically or mentally ready to step up to that sort of level.”
Those who watched his time trial will however have little doubt that a huge future is in store.
