TEAM Sky cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford believes Rhos on Sea cyclist and Irish champion Ryan Mullen has “a very bright career” ahead of him.

The former Team GB cycling director and current Team Sky general manager, who is widely credited with masterminding Tour de France victories for Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome in successive years, also praised Rhos on Sea Cycling Club, which both Brailsford and Mullen were once members.

Sir Dave, who was raised in Deiniolen, Gwynedd, said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, he [Mullen] is an exceptional talent and he rode at the Rhos on Sea Club, and it’s an exceptional club to start out in - he’s moved on now.

“I was a member of same club when much younger.

“He has a very bright career ahead of him, he’s already a world class time trialist, his speciality.

“He’ll go on to a very rosy career at the higher level of sport, I’m sure.”

The 20 year-old, who is a former pupil of Ysgol Eirias, has enjoyed a whirlwind year in the sport.

The An Post Chainreaction rider claimed a double victory in the Irish National Championships in June, winning the National Time Trial and the Road Race - despite being classified as an under 23 rider.

Mullen went on to represent his team at the Tour of Britain in September, where he finished in a creditable 86th position in the general classification and came seventh in the final day’s time trial, which at one stage he led.

A week later, Mullen was in Pontferrada, Spain for the UCI World Championships, where he eventually won a silver medal in the under 23 time trial - agonisingly missing out on gold by just half a second to Australian Campbell Flakemore.