Ryan Mullen Qualifies for Bronze Ride Off with Third Fastest Time in Pursuit

Following a sensational qualifying ride, Ireland's Ryan Mullen has qualified for the Bronze Medal Ride Off in the Individual Pursuit at the European U23 Track Cycling Championships in Portugal. In a time of 4.24.559 Mullen will go head to head with Julien Morice of France for the 4km Pursuit Bronze Medal Final later on this evening. A mere 0.266 seconds separated the two riders in the qualifying round.

Mullen is no stranger to the big stage, having won a Silver Medal on the Road at the European Junior Time Trial Championships last year, and has moved into the Senior ranks seamlessly. With the Individual Pursuit requiring similar attributes to the Road Time Trial, Mullen was confident of a good time, especially having posted a fast time at the UCI ranked International Track GP in Dublin last Saturday.

Speaking after the qualifying round High Performance Coach Brian Nugent said "This is Ryan's first International Indoor 4km Pursuit at Senior Level. We knew he was going well, didn't know exactly how well, so we're really pleased with this performance. He is the fastest first year U23 in the competition, having beaten last year's Junior World Champion. We're really happy with Ryan's progression, and all sights are set on this Bronze Medal tonight."

Mullen races again at approximately 6.40pm Irish time, with the faster of the two men taking the coveted Bronze Medal. Ireland produces world standard track cyclists, despite the country not having an indoor Velodrome. Ireland's Eoin Mullen will not compete in the 1Km TT today, but will race in the Sprint and Keirin events towards the end of the week.

More than 300 riders have been confirmed for the European Junior and Under 23 Champinships in Anadia this week, with a total of 38 medals to be awarded across all categories. Racing will run from 9-14th July.