Magnificent Roche claims time-trial title in Kildare

Nicolas Roche is the new national time-trial champion after storming to a fantastic win in Kilcullen, Co Kildare last night.

The Team Sky man proved too good for rising star Eddie Dunbar (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale) at the end of a close-fought battle on the 40-kilometre course from Kilcullen to Athy and back.

Mullen was looking for back-to-back elite national and U23 titles but can have no complaints on the night, though his crash at the ZLM Toer in the Netherlands last weekend was perhaps a factor in his below-par result.