O'Loughlin impresses in Belgium

Cycling News round-upIrish road race champion David O'Loughlin maintained his good form of this season with an encouraging performance at the Tour of Liège in Belgium this week.

Competing as part of a Team Ireland squad, the Mayo rider went clear on day two and looked to have a good chance of overcoming his 42-second deficit to race leader Gregory Habeaux. However, in a poorly organised finish, he and his two breakaway companions were sent the wrong way, robbing him of his chance. The stage was declared void.

Following a bunch sprint on stage three, he was part of a 25-man group battling it out for stage and overall honours on the final day of racing. Five riders slipped away and while O'Loughlin chased hard on the final circuit, a lack of assistance from the other riders in the group meant the quintet stayed clear. O'Loughlin finished 19th overall but with better luck on day two would have been much closer to yellow.

For O'Loughlin and Ciarán Power, the race acted as a valuable form-builder for some upcoming events. Power used the race purely for training, continuing to ride for up to 90 minutes after each stage in preparation for the Olympic road race next month.

O'Loughlin is likely to be named on the six-man Irish team for the Tour of Britain in August, and he will also be hoping for selection for the world championships in Verona later this year.

Meanwhile, final preparations are underway for both the M Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland and the Kerry Youth Tour, both taking place in the next fortnight.

Junior Tour race organiser Alice Sherratt this week confirmed an impressive line-up for the six-day event, with teams from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, South Africa, the USA, Wales and England all down for the August 3rd start. The strong Ireland squad includes junior champion Maurice O'Brien, Mark Nestor, Ciarán Cassidy and Martin Munroe.

Before then, the Kerry Youth Tour will take place in Beaufort and Killorglin from July 31st to August 2nd. The race organisers this week announced sponsorship by the Kerry Group. Over 200 riders are expected for the underage event, with teams from Ireland, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa taking part.

FIXTURES: Friday-Sunday - Ards Three-day, Portaferry, starts 7 p.m. Saturday - Cycling Ireland track league, Sundrive Park, accreditation at 10.15 a.m.; some track bikes will be provided. Sunday - Klondyke Cup, Robinstown. Underage races 11 a.m., other events from 1 p.m.; Munster hill climb championships, Abbeyfeale. Start 10 a.m.; Abbeyfeale town centre criterium, starts 1.30 p.m.; IVCA 45-mile CP, Batterstown, starts 9.30 a.m.