First Year Junior Finishes 8th At The Cycling World Championships In Spain

In his World Championship debut, Carrick-on-Suir's Michael O'Loughlin has finished in an impressive 8th position in the Junior Men's Time Trial in Ponferrada, Spain.

The first year junior started the 29.5km course as the 41st starter, setting the early fastest time, which he held until Germany's Sven Reutter finished faster. The eventual race winner was Germany's Lennard Kamna, With Adrien Costa (USA) and Michael Storer (AUS) taking silver and bronze.

Ireland's Mark Downey, who won a silver medal in the Scratch Race at the European Track Championshps, finished in 34th position. This continues the positive start to Ireland's World Championship campaign, where Ryan Mullen won silver in the Men's U23 Time Trial yesterday. The Championships run from Sunday 21st September until Sunday the 28th September.

O'Loughlin, who has progressed through the Cycling Ireland Talent Team 2020 programme, rode a solid race throughout, posting a finish time of 37.56.3, and was the third fastest first year junior on the day. Cycling Ireland has recently focused on developing and nurturing young talent, and is now reaping the rewards.

Cycling Ireland Coach Neill Delahaye was following the race and said "Michael produced a supreme effort out of the bag, he was on the money from the get go, and didn't let up. To get a top ten is great, especially as a first year junior. The course was an ideal one for time trialling, loads of scope to get into a good rhythm and stay in it, the only time when they had to stop pedalling was in the descent on the final 3km, so it suited the Irish guys, who were well drilled and focused."

Next up is the Elite Men's Time Trial tomorrow, where Nicolas Roche is competing. Last year Roche finished in thirteenth place in the race against the clock.