Nathan Mullan lifts the Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup

Dromara Cycling Club's Nathan Mullan propelled himself to within one point of an upgrade to the A1 class at the Bohermeen Cycling Club Races on Sunday, crossing the line in first place in the A2 class race after a superb sprint to the finish.
Nathan Mullan punches the air as he crosses the line victorious after 115km of hard racing around County Meath.Nathan Mullan punches the air as he crosses the line victorious after 115km of hard racing around County Meath.
Nathan Mullan punches the air as he crosses the line victorious after 115km of hard racing around County Meath.

The ever improving Mullan, 22, has been making a name for himself amongst the Cycling Ireland ranks over the past seasons, and after spending his winter competing in a number ofcyclo-cross events along with a trip to the Costa del Sol for some warm weather training, he was feeling stronger than ever.

Starting the race towards the front of the pack ahead of seven 16.5km laps around the County Meath countryside, Nathan initially planned to join a group and get a move towards the front going.

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Unable to assemble a suitable group, Mullan fell back tothe middle of the main pack.

Nathan Mullan (Centre, Dromara Cycling Club) holds the Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup with second placed Jude Sands (Left, Newry Wheelers) and Paul Woods in third (Right, Carlow Road Cycling Club).Nathan Mullan (Centre, Dromara Cycling Club) holds the Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup with second placed Jude Sands (Left, Newry Wheelers) and Paul Woods in third (Right, Carlow Road Cycling Club).
Nathan Mullan (Centre, Dromara Cycling Club) holds the Thomas Tuite Perpetual Cup with second placed Jude Sands (Left, Newry Wheelers) and Paul Woods in third (Right, Carlow Road Cycling Club).

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, Mullan attacked and joined an eight-man group who together opened a lead margin of almost 40 seconds.

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 Mullan 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.

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Nathan said: “I really really enjoyed that one. 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.”