Feature – Ryan Mullen Q & A

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VeloUK puts a question and answer to another WorldTour pro, Ryan Mullen of the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team

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Feature – Ryan Mullen Q & A

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1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Ryan: My road season has already begun! I’m here now in Mallorca a few days ahead of the start of my first race of the year with my new team. I’ve had a busy few days so far on the Velodrome in Palma doing some equipment testing for the 2016 season.

I’m taking part in the early season Mallorca races, commonly known as “Challenge Mallorca”. There are four one day races in a row – most teams use all four races combined as a type of early stage race just to wake the body back up after the winter.

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Ryan: I’ve not set myself any proper goals just yet. I’m just taking each race as a learning opportunity. It’s a higher level of racing than what I’ve been used to in the past number of years. I’ve been given a lot of races with TT’s in them which I’m grateful for, as it’ll give me an opportunity to perform for my team. I’d like to target some week long stage races which are ultimately decided by a medium distance TT at some point in the week. I think if I can hang on in the bunch enough and do a respectable TT, then it should bode well for a relatively good overall GC position.

3. What was the first training camp like?
Ryan: The first camp was two weeks ago in Sant Fileu on the coast not too far away from where I now live in Girona. It was really cool to be a part of a World Tour training camp. Growing up I’d always wondered what the set up would be like in a training camp in a WT team.

Now I know! It just involves longer suffering over longer hours – not much different at all really! We had a lot of structured training and a few long steady ‘fat burner’ rides. We usually just do these on hardly any carbs but keep the intensity low so no body bonks.

4. What will your role in the team be for 2016 and has it sunk in that you’re a WorldTour pro!
Ryan: Tea boy! That is all ;) Yeah, it’s starting to. But the only time I remember that is when I catch a glimpse of myself in a shop window doing the odd ‘form check’ we’re all guilty of – giving the legs a cheeky tense as you pass a reflection.

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5. When it rains, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet?
Ryan: I have to man up these days which makes me rather sad, as no one loves the sun quite as much as me. Although, sometimes even if it is sunny, I do confine myself to the turbo. If I have some really specific stuff where I need to focus on the clock, then I just prefer to sit in the pain cave than run into the back of a car!

6. If the team said you could do any race in the World this season, what would it be?
Ryan: I’d love to ride a stage race at WorldTour level. Solely because the step up to that level is like going from junior to U23 level all over again. I think that sort of level should really bring me on all over again.

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are travelling to in the world?
Ryan: Anything coated in sugar!

8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Ryan: Whatever is in the charts really as I don’t have a particular taste but I’m still a huge fan of Eminem!

9. Which of your bikes is your favourite (Road or TT)?
Ryan: My road bike is a dream to ride. It’s just the next level to anything I’ve ever ridden before and I’m not saying that because I have to either!

10. Finally, what was your favourite Xmas present!
Ryan: Anything my girlfriend gets me! It’s always something she puts a lot of thought into and she always surprises me. A bottle of Jameson Irish whisky doesn’t go amiss either LoL

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