Dromara’s Nathan climbs to the top of A2 section in Navan

Dromara’s Nathan climbs to the top of A2 section in Navan

27 April 2016

DROMARA Cycling Club’s 22 year-old Nathan Mullan propelled himself to within one point of an upgrade to the A1 class at the Bohermeen Cycling Club races in Navan on Sunday.

He crossed the line in first place in the A2 class race after a superb sprint to the finish with Newry Wheelers rider Jude Sands.

The ever-improving Nathan has been making quite a name for himself amongst the Cycling Ireland ranks over the past number of seasons.

After spending his winter increasing his preparation by competing in a number of cyclo-cross events along with a recent trip to the Costa del Sol for some warm weather training, the Newcastle native was feeling stronger than ever.

Starting the race towards the front of the pack ahead of seven 16.5km laps around the Co Meath countryside, Nathan initially planned to join a group and get a move towards the front going. Unable to assemble a suitable group of riders to work together, he fell back to the middle of the main pack, allowing a breakaway of 11 riders to make a break up ahead.

As the race progressed, Nathan joined up with Newry Wheelers’ Jude Sands to lead a group and reel in the breakaway approaching the penultimate lap of the race.

Now sensing a move towards the front was in sight, Nathan attacked and joined an eight-man group who together opened a lead margin of almost 40 seconds inside the final lap.

With everything to play for, Nathan exited the final corner for the last 300-metre sprint to the finish.

Starting with the aid of Sands in front, at the 200 metre mark he pulled out and crossed the line just in front to take the win and with it, the first awarding of the club’s Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup for the Class A2 winner.

“I really really enjoyed that one,” Nathan said. “It was hard at the start as we tried to get a group going but it just wasn’t happening, so towards the end I managed to work with Jude Sands from Newry Wheelers and it all came together. 

“We gave each other a good run to the finish line but I just managed to get ahead by enough to take the win, but thank you to him for his help.”