Ryan Mullen pleased with first Cannondale camp in Spain

Completing his first training camp after turning pro with the Cannondale team, Ryan Mullen has reported himself satisfied with how the get-together went in Spain.

“The camp has been great so far. I really enjoyed it,” he said. “There were some really good efforts in a controlled environment.”

Mullen is, at 21, the youngest on the team. He earned his place through a string of good results, including second in the world under-23 time-trial championships in 2014.

He is aiming to develop into one of the top riders in the discipline, but his new coach Sebastian Weber believes he could well be capable of more.

“When I first heard about him, when I did some research . . . obviously everyone sees Ryan as a pure time-trialist,” said Weber, who has coached WorldTour riders for many years.

“This is where he came from, where his main success has been. But, power-wise, he should be able to do much more than this. From his metabolic profile he is for sure not limited to doing only time-trials.”

Weber has worked with him at the camp and is impressed by what he has seen. He said that he is aiming to coax Mullen’s development along gradually, making sure he doesn’t get put under too much load in year one.

As for Mullen, he is excited to work with the German. “He is also Tony Martin’s coach,” he said, referring to the three-time world time-trial champion. “The way I see it, for what I want to do, he is best coach out there.”

Mullen will now return to his base in Girona to continue his build-up, then begin racing in Mallorca at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s track cycling team will compete in the final World Cup of the current calendar this weekend in Hong Kong.

The team pursuit squad comprises Caroline Ryan, Josie Knight, Lydia Boylan, Melanie Spath and Eimear Moran, while Eoin Mullen, Shannon McCurley and Felix English will race in other events.

Finally, Team Dimension Data rider Matt Brammeier has established the Africa Rising Kit Appeal, aimed at providing cycling kit to developing riders from that continent.

For those who wish to help, unwanted cycling clothing, shoes, helmets, glasses and other items can be dropped off at a number of cycling stores around the country.

These include Fitzcycles in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, The Edge Sports Superstore on Kinsale Road in Co Cork, Marrey Bikes in Ballinrobe, Downey Cycles in Dromore and McConvey Cycles in Belfast.