Silver for Mullen at World U23 Time-Trial

Ireland’s Ryan Mullen captured a silver medal at the UCI World U23 Time-Trial Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, yesterday, the 20-year-old finishing a mere 0.48 seconds behind winner, Campbell Flakemore of Australia-

Mullen was the pre-race favourite courtesy of some truly stunning times against the clock this year and he lived up to that billing as he scorched through the first two checkpoints well ahead of his challengers.

He blitzed the time of leader Rafael Reis of Portugal and was 19 seconds ahead of him crossing the finish line, putting him in the gold medal position, though there were eight riders still out on the course.

Mullen’s time held until Flakemore sprinted up the finishing straight to just edge him off top spot.

It was a bittersweet moment for the national road race and time trial champion: “I thought I might hang on but I emptied myself, I took as many risks as I could,” said Mullen.

“It’s pretty disappointing to come so close to getting a world title. I’ve been progressing the last few years and I’m pretty happy to get this. We’ve all worked hard in Cycling Ireland, they’ve done everything possible to get me in this shape and I’m really grateful for their help.”

Also in action yesterday was Kerry’s Josie Knight (O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk) who crashed hard in the junior women’s time trial but remounted to finish 37th, 1:45 behind winner, Macey Stewart of Australia.

Next up are Mark Downey and Michael O’Loughlin in the junior men’s time-trial this morning and they’ll roll down the ramp at 9.33am and 10am Irish time.