A few days after missing out on selection for the Tour de France, Nicolas Roche (Sky) bounced back in the best possible way by winning the Irish TT Championships. The Sky rider beat Eddie Dunbar (Axeon) by 1.03 while defending champion Ryan Mullen (Cannondale) was 1.25 behind in third.

Yesterday it was announced that Nicolas Roche will miss the Tour de France for the first time since 2008. Today he proved that there is nothing wrong with his form by winning his first Irish TT title since 2007.

Roche covered the 40km course in Kilcullen in  47.14 which was 1.03 faster than last year's runner-up Eddie Dunbar. Two-time champion Ryan Mullen continued what has been a difficult first year as a pro by losing his title as he could only manage third, 1.25 behind Roche.

Attention now turns to Sunday's road race where Damien Shaw is the defending champion.