David O'Loughlin on track for qualification for Cycling World Champs

David O’Loughlin on target for qualification for Track Cycling World Championships

Ireland’s David O’Loughlin produced another exceptional ride to finish 5th in the Individual Pursuit at the Los Angeles round of Cycling’s World Cup track series on January 19th.

In only his second competitive pursuit race O’Loughlin finished just 0.5 of a second outside 4th place that would have given him a ride off for a medal.

He completed the 4-kilometre distance in 4 minutes 31.38 seconds, just two seconds behind the leading time of 4 minutes 29.40.

Speaking from the trackside in Los Angeles Cycling Irelands High Performance Director Frank Campbell said that this performance should be enough to qualify David for the forthcoming World Championships;

“This is an astonishing achievement to be 8th in the Moscow round of the series and now 5th in LA. David is really making the grade as a world class track rider, a measure of his focus is that he is not happy with his ride today and knows he can go a lot faster. Our challenge is to make sure that the program we have agreed with the Irish Sports Council allows him to reach his potential”.

Following on from his 5th place in the pursuit O’Loughlin won his heat in the Points race and finished 6th in the final of the 120-lap event another remarkable ride.

The next round of the world cup series takes place in Manchester February 23rd-25th the track in Manchester is one of the fastest in the world and will set David his biggest challenge to date.

Ireland will also enter a Team Pursuit squad in Manchester this be a first for Irish cycling. Cycling Ireland’s track programme is supported by the Irish Sports Council.
 
For further information:

Cycling Ireland, 01-8551522 www.cyclingireland.ie